At a glance:  President Metsola opens the final plenary session before the European elections; the debate on Europe’s competitiveness; and the ‘right to repair’ for consumers.

News in Brief – 24/04/2024 - English

At a glance: the meeting between European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection; the Committee on Constitutional Affairs is  proposing amendments to Parliament’s internal rules to strengthen its way of working; and EP President Metsola’s visit to Cyprus.

News in Brief – 03/04/2024 - English

Every year, on 15 March, we celebrate World Consumer Rights Day to raise awareness about consumer rights and protections around the world. The European Parliament plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumer rights across the European Union. With over 450 million consumers in the EU, ensuring fair treatment, transparency and safety in the marketplace is essential. Let’s find out how your consumer rights are protected in the EU.

World Consumer Rights Day

Digital trade has become a key element in the EU's trade policy. The EU is the world's largest exporter and importer of digitally deliverable services and has a strong market position. Therefore, the development towards more digital trade provides opportunities for European consumers, for the economy and for the EU’s green and digital transition. The key difference between digital trade and traditional trade is the prominence of cross-border data flows. However, certain data are considered 'sensitive' and require protection and/or specific processing conditions.

EPRS Policy Podcast - The EU's digital trade policy

Today: a new plenary session is getting under way in Strasbourg. Topics on the agenda include the results of the latest EU summit and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Last week, Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on a stronger right to repair for consumers.

News in Brief – 05/02/2024 – English

On 22 March 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive on green claims. The proposed directive would require companies to substantiate the voluntary green claims they make in business-to-consumer commercial practices, by complying with a number of requirements regarding their assessment (e.g. taking a life-cycle perspective). No single method for the assessment would be stipulated

EPRS Policy Podcast - Green claims' directive: Protecting consumers from greenwashing

According to the European Commission, buildings consume 40% of the EU’s energy and are responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. While the entire European Union is trying to limit its energy consumption, urgent measures must be taken to address this situation. In March 2023, Parliament adopted draft measures to increase the rate of renovations and substantially reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions.

A climate neutral building sector by 2050 - English

The energy crisis of 2022 has brought new challenges for the EU electricity market. Concerns over very high prices, security of energy supply, and the need to increase decarbonisation have sparked discussions on the need to redesign the EU's electricity market. After the short-term measures adopted to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis, the European Commission has unveiled its much-awaited plan to reform the electricity market, with a triple objective: to shelter consumers from excessive bills, boost renewables and enhance competitiveness.

EPRS Policy podcast - Revamping the EU electricity market

The proposed 'AI liability directive' introduces new rules specific to damages caused by AI systems. These rules are intended to ensure that consumers harmed by AI systems enjoy the same level of protection as consumers harmed by other technologies in the EU. The directive would also ease the burden of proof for victims to establish damage caused by an AI system and give national courts the power to order disclosure of evidence about high-risk AI systems suspected of having caused damage.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Artificial intelligence liability directive

The proposed EU data act lays down harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data. The aim is to remove barriers before consumers and businesses' access to data in a context in which the volume of data generated by humans and machines is increasing exponentially and becoming a critical factor for innovation by businesses (e.g. algorithm training) and by public authorities (e.g. shaping of smart cities).

EPRS policy podcast - The Data act

Inflation is defined as a process of continuously rising prices and falling purchasing power. In other words, a general and broad-based increase in the price of goods and services over an extended period. The main objective of central banks is to keep prices stable, to preserve the integrity and purchasing power of people's money. The most common inflation indicator measures the average change in the price of a basket of consumer goods and services over time. The closest approximation of what people intuitively understand by the term inflation is the change in their cost of living. Inflation is expected to remain significantly above the euro area inflation target of 2 % for some time, due to continued geopolitical uncertainty and persistent supply bottlenecks.

EPRS policy podcast - Inflation explained: What lies behind and what is ahead?

The European Commission has announced 'right to repair' legislation, with the objective of cutting consumer costs and promoting a circular economy. 'Right to repair' legislation can refer to a variety of issues and circumstances: for example, the right to repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves.

Right to Repair - English

The European Commission has announced the establishment of a 'right to repair', with a view of saving costs for consumers and facilitating the development of a circular economy. The right to repair may refer to different issues and situations: repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves. Rates of repair depend on the type of a product, with the cost of repair being the most important reason consumers avoid repair. Research shows that consumers favour products that are easily repaired, but their willingness to pay for such products depends on the type of product and the way information on the reparability is presented to them...

EPRS policy podcast - Right to repair

The fit for 55 package is part of the Commission's European Green Deal, which aims to set the EU firmly on the path towards net zero GHG emissions (climate neutrality) by 2050. The fit for 55 package includes a regulation establishing a new social climate fund (SCF). The aim of the SCF is to help vulnerable households, micro-businesses and transport users meet the costs of the green energy transition in the buildings and road transport sector. The SCF is designed to counter the additional costs that vulnerable consumers may face when the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive is revised to cover these two sectors, as proposed in the fit for 55 package. The SCF aims to provide over €72 billion in EU funding over the 2025-2032 period, to be paid for mainly by ETS credits in the buildings and road transport sectors. In this podcast, we’ll talk about the ‘social climate fund’: a new tool with which the EU aims to support lower-income groups through [...]

EPRS policy podcast - Social climate fund: Fit for 55 package

The way most food is produced is harming the planet. A profound change is needed, involving all agri-food actors. As consumers, we sit at the end of the agri-food chain. Our daily dietary choices implicitly support certain food systems, production methods and types of food. What could help us make better choices? In this podcast, we’ll talk about ecolabels and their potential to nudge us towards more sustainable food choices.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if ecolabels could nudge us to choose greener food?

On 30 June 2021, the Commission adopted a proposal for a general product safety regulation, which would replace the current General Product Safety Directive, as part of the regulatory fitness-check programme (REFIT). The proposal seeks to address the challenges of product safety of emerging technologies, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) and connected devices, and to establish clear obligations for online marketplaces, which consumers increasingly use for their online purchases. In this podcast, we'll talk about the new general product safety regulation with which the EU wants to address challenges linked to new technologies and online sales.

EPRS policy podcast - General product safety regulation

Sequencing and analysis of the human genome, all the genetic information stored in our DNA, enable understanding about a person’s ancestry, health and various traits. DNA sequencing greatly benefits medicine and the life sciences by allowing them to predict and cure diseases. While DNA sequencing technologies continuously improve and become less costly, what if we all soon possessed our personal, smart DNA sequencers and apps to analyse DNA?

EPRS podcast - STOA: What if consumers could use devices to sequence DNA?

Household consumption in the EU has major environmental impacts, which in a number of cases exceed planetary boundaries. Two thirds of consumers in the EU realise that their consumption habits have negative effects on the environment, and the solution that they mention most often is to change consumption habits and production patterns. However, a number of studies have shown a gap between consumers' good intentions and their actual behaviour.

EPRS policy podcast - Sustainable consumption: Helping consumers make eco-friendly choices

A Digital Single Market (DSM) is one in which the free movement of persons, services and capital is ensured and where the individuals and businesses can seamlessly access and engage in online activities under conditions of fair competition, and a high level of consumer and personal data protection, irrespective of their nationality or place of residence.

Digital single market

A propososal for a regulation adopted by the Commission on 19 December 2017 aims to strenghten controls by nationals market surveillance and customs authorities to ensure that products are safe and comply with the Union rules.

The legislation covers a large proportion of products marketed in the EU in more than 20 industrial sectors, including electro-technical products, machinery, radio/telecoms equipment, toys, medical devices, construction products and high speed rail systems.

The package consists of two regulations and a decision designed to remove barriers to the free movement of goods while improving consumer safety.

Goods package and safer products

EU rules on product safety are defined in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Under the directive a product is safe if it meets all statutory safety requirements under European or national law. If there are no regulations or EU standards referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union, the product's compliance is determined according to other reference documents such as other European standards, national or international standards, Commission recommendations, or codes of practice. The General Product Safety Directive applies to consumer products when there are no specific provisions with the same objective in the rules of EU Law governing the safety of the products concerned. That means it applies totally to products such as child care articles or certain COVID-19 related products, such as sanitising gels and certain type of face masks and only residually to products where sectorial legislation exists such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Businesses must: only place products which are safe on the market, inform consumers of any risks associated with the products they supply, make sure any dangerous products present on the market can be traced so they can be removed to avoid any risks to consumers. MEPs want more stringent EU rules to protect children Existing rules and market surveillance activities should be strengthened to ensure the safety of all toys sold on the EU market, including from non-EU countries and online.

In March 2023 MEPs, also endorsed the revised rules on product safety of non-food consumer products. The new regulation aligns the existing General Product Safety Directive with the latest developments in digitalisation and the surge in online shopping.

In this Plenary MEPs are set to vote on their position on a proposal to revamp EU legislation on toy safety. The update of the current directive aims to respond to the increase in online shopping and the use of digital technologies, among other challenges. The proposed regulation extends EU bans on harmful chemicals in toys to include endocrine disruptors and makes it easier for consumers to access safety information, for example via a QR code.

Consumer product safety

Clean energy is energy produced and consumed with a minimum of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

The transition to clean energy requires large investments in all areas of energy use: electricity generation, transport, heating and cooling, and also industrial activities. Reducing energy demand by means of energy efficiency measures also helps to lower the emissions associated with energy use.

Clean energy

Plastics are everywhere in our daily life: they are used in packaging, buildings, cars, electronics, agriculture and other sectors. On 3 July 2021, the EU ban on disposable plastics comes into effect. This will concern straws, cups, cutlery, plates, but also balloon rods.

Single-use plastic products are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. The impacts of this plastic waste on the environment and our health are global and can be drastic. Single-use plastic products are more likely to end up in our seas than reusable options.

The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU. According to the directive on single-use plastics where sustainable alternatives are easily available and affordable, single-use plastic products cannot be placed on the markets of EU Member States. This applies to cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and sticks for balloons.

It will also apply to cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastic. The EU aims to become a forerunner in the global fight against marine litter and plastic pollution. EU rules aim to reduce the volume and impact of certain plastic products on environment.

Plastics production is 20 times higher than in 1960s, and is forecast to almost quadruple by 2050. Although there are thousands of types of plastics, 90% of plastics are derived from virgin fossil fuels. About 6% of global oil consumption is used to produce plastics; by 2050, this share could reach 20%. In Europe, about 40% of post-consumer plastic waste is incinerated with energy recovery, and the rest is either landfilled or recycled. About half of the plastic waste collected and recycled is treated in the European Union; the other half is exported, mainly to China.

EU Strategy for Plastics and packaging

European food safety policy aims are twofold: to protect human health and consumers’ interests, and to foster the smooth operation of the European single market.

The EU thus ensures that control standards are established and adhered to in the areas of feed and food-product hygiene, animal health, plant health and the prevention of food contamination from external substances. The Union also regulates labelling for food and feed products.

In the wake of a series of human food and animal feed crises, EU food safety policy underwent substantial reform in the early 2000s. The ‘Farm to Fork’ approach was defined, guaranteeing a high level of safety at all stages of the production and distribution process for all food products marketed within the EU, whether produced within the EU or imported from third countries.

Food safety

The energy union strategy aims at building an energy union that gives EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.&nbsp;The five pillars of the Energy Union are:&nbsp;accelerating decarbonisation with the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and renewables at is core; scaling up energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and safety; strengthening the internal market; research, innovation and competitiveness.&nbsp; Since 2021, Europe has experienced a hike in energy prices that is part of a global surge. The&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;in 2022 has further affected the energy markets, causing new increases of energy prices and concerns over the EU’s ability to secure its energy supply. &nbsp;

Energy union

The European Union produces more than&nbsp;2.2 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its&nbsp;legislation on waste management&nbsp;to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a&nbsp;model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the&nbsp;life cycle of products is extended.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the circular economy action plan,&nbsp;&nbsp;which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating aright to repair). There is a focus on resource intensive sectors, such as&nbsp;electronics and ICT,&nbsp;plastics,&nbsp;textiles&nbsp;and construction.

In February 2021, the Parliament adopted a resolution on the&nbsp;new circular economy action plan&nbsp;demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050, including tighter recycling rules and&nbsp;binding targets for materials use and consumption&nbsp;by 2030.

In March 2022, the Commission released the&nbsp;first package of measures&nbsp;to speed up the transition towards a circular economy, as part of the circular economy action plan. The proposals include boosting sustainable products, empowering consumers for the green transition, reviewing construction product regulation, and creating a strategy on sustainable textiles.

In November 2022, the Commission proposed&nbsp;new EU-wide rules on packaging. It aims to reduce packaging waste and improve packaging design, with for example clear labelling to promote reuse and recycling; and calls for a transition to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Circular economy

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

Following political agreement with the Council, a vote in plenary on 2 October 2018 saw Parliament adopt the updated EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), based on the proposal presented by the Commission on 25 May 2016.

The overarching goal of the proposal was to bring about a balance between competitiveness and consumer protection. It therefore aimed to introduce flexibility when restrictions only applicable to TV are no longer justified, promote European films, protect minors and tackle hate speech more efficiently. The proposal also reflected a new approach to online platforms. Following adoption of the revised directive, EU Member States now have to bring the new rules into national law by 19 September 2020.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive

&nbsp;Arelatively recent phenomenon, the collaborative economy has become to the centre of the interest&nbsp;a decade in some areas of activities, such as car-sharing or short-term lets. Although it is now a well-known term – with alternative names from the 'sharing' to 'gig' to 'peer-to-peer' economy – it remains difficult to grasp precisely, beyond the central feature that potential consumers and providers are connected via a digital platform that matches demand and supply, providing cheap access to information on a very large scale.

These 'match-makers' make it possible for non-professional providers to offer goods and servicesin a wide range of activities, generating value and with the potential for further development.

The success of collaborative platforms has raised concerns regarding workers’ rights and unfair advantages these firms might enjoy over traditional companies that are bound by stricter legal regulations. Taxation issues in the collaborative economy increasingly highlight the need for an in-depth look into taxation, focusing on the link between the value created and tax, and the need for a level playing field for incumbent business facing competition from these new entrants to the market.

See more on this topic by visiting our package&nbsp; for the 8th parliamentary term.

Collaborative economy

The Digital Single Market strategy aims to open up digital opportunities for people and business and enhance Europe's position as a world leader in the digital economy. In this framework, a new legislative package for the modernisation of the EU copyright rules is presented by the Commission in September 2016.

A Digital Single Market (DSM) is one in which the free movement of persons, services and capital is ensured and where the individuals and businesses can seamlessly access and exercise online activities under conditions of fair competition, and a high level of consumer and personal data protection, irrespective of their nationality or place of residence. 
The European Commission has identified the completion of the Digital Single Market (DSM) as one of its 10 political priorities. 
Among its directives, a new directive on copyright in the digital single market. The purpose is to adapt EU copyright legislation to the digital environment, which is quickly changing the way copyright-protected works and content are created, produced, distributed and exploited in the European Union.

Digital single market - Copyright directive - 8th parliamentary term

Unlike the traditional linear economic model based on a 'take-make-consume-throw away' pattern, a circular economy is based on reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling, in an (almost) closed loop.

Although waste management in the European Union (EU) has improved considerably in the past decades, almost a third of municipal waste is still landfilled and less than half is recycled or composted, with wide variations between Member States. Improving waste management could deliver positive effects for the environment, climate, human health and the economy. As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Commission made four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

Circular economy - 8th parliamentary term

EU importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold for manufacturing consumer goods need to be certified by the EU to ensure that they do not fuel conflicts and human rights abuses in conflict areas.

Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold are used in many consumer products in the EU, in particular by the automotive, electronics, aerospace, packaging, construction, lighting, industrial machinery and tooling industries, as well as in jewellery. The upcoming law potentially affects 880,000 EU manufacturers, most of which are small or medium-sized.

Conflict minerals

Taking into account technological developments on telecommunications markets and changes in consumer demands and habits, and in order to stimulate the investment necessary for reaching the connectivity targets for 2025, the European Commission proposed the Electronic Communications Code on 14 September 2016. The Code establishes common EU rules and objectives on regulating the telecom industry. It defines how providers of networks and/or services can be regulated by national authorities.

&nbsp;

The ITRE Committee voted to open trilogue negotiations (a decision confirmed in October II 2017 plenary session) and a first meeting with the Council has taken place. Parliament and Council (EU co-legislators) provisionally agreed on a reform of EU telecom rules that aims to boost the investments needed to make 5G connectivity available for all EU citizens by 2020, enhance protection of users and introduce a cap on disproportionate fees on calls between EU countries. According to the provisional deal, the fees for intra-EU calls are capped to 19 cents for phone calls and 6 cents for text messages.

Telecom

EU citizens are becoming increasingly concerned that all kinds of production systems and other activities should be sustainable.Animal welfare is an important aspect of sustainability,and also of product quality, and may result in consumers refusing to buy products. 

The welfare of an individual is its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment. Welfare includes feelings and health and can be measured scientifically. It is a biological concept, quite different from rights, and refers only to living animals.

Animal welfare (2019 - 2020)

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions.

Press conference on the right to repair

MEPs debate on Monday evening and vote on Tuesday on the provisional agreement reached with member states on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers, which aims to promote the repair of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee period. Beyond the legal guarantee, consumers will have a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. They also allow access to spare parts, tools, and maintenance information, and ban the use of hardware and software practices that obstruct repairs.

Plenary debate on Right to Repair

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market.

Plenary debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

Voting session

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee holds an exchange of views on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, independent experts and industry representatives. The discussion will focus on the first assessment of compliance, mostly as regards to self-preferencing and app stores

IMCO Debate on the Digital Markets Act

Press conference by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur for safety of toys

Press conference on Toys' safety

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee votes on an update to EU rules on the safety of toys to better protect children and tackle the new challenges brought about by e-commerce and new technologies such as AI. The proposed regulation introduces new bans on the most harmful chemicals such as endocrine disruptors and a digital product passport to facilitate safety checks

IMCO vote on Toy safety

IMCO - Exchange of views on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act: compliance, with a focus on self-preferencing and app stores.

IMCO - Exchange of views on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act: compliance, with a focus on self-preferencing and app stores

Joint committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

LIBE

IMCO

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Joint committee on International Trade and committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

INTA

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of political groups

Composition of Parliament

Follow-up to a request for the defence of immunity

Composition of committees and delegations

Calendar of part-sessions of the Parliament - 2025

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79)

Order of business

Resumption of the sitting

Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 (debate)

Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive) (debate)

Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)

Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures (debate)

Liability for defective products (short presentation)

Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products (short presentation)

European Maritime Safety Agency and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 (short presentation)

Amending the Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (short presentation)

20240311-0900-PLENARY

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Joint committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and committee on Legal Affairs

JURI

Joint committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

ENVI

Joint committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Joint committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Joint committee on Budgetary Control and committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

CONT

Press conference by Biljana BORZAN, rapporteur on empowering consumers by fighting greenwashing and improving product labelling

Opening of the sitting

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency (debate)

Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine (debate)

Voting time

Announcement

Empowering consumers for the green transition (debate)

Transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget (debate)

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (debate)

EU-India relations (debate)

Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future? (debate)

Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2022 (debate)

Implementation of the Treaty provisions on national parliaments – Implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship (joint debate – Implementation of the Treaty provisions)

Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January (debate)

State of emergency in Ecuador (debate)

Building a comprehensive European port strategy (short presentation)

Implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (short presentation)

Explanations of vote

EP Plenary session - Voting session

Press conference on Green Claims Directive

INTA IMCO - Trilogue on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market

EP Plenary session - Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services

IMCO - Report on the Future of the Single Market

IMCO - Vote on the overhaul the whole EU customs system

IMCO trilogue on the Right to Repair

IMCO trilogue on Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI)

Breakfast directive - illustration

IMCO - Presentation of the Belgian Presidency of the Council programme

IMCO trilogue on Digital Labelling of EU fertilizing Products

EP Plenary session - Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis

Press conference on empowering consumers by fighting greenwashing and improving product labelling

EP Plenary session - Empowering consumers for the green transition

IMCO public hearing on ' Performance of the Package Travel Directive and Consumer Protection '

IMCO Public Hearing on Late Payments

CCC - Meeting with Pascual Ignacio NAVARRO RÍOS, State Secretary for the European Union, Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press Conference by René REPASI (S&D, DE), rapporteur on Right to Repair

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Parliament and Council approved new rules for recycling and producing sustainable batteries and reducing packaging waste. MEPs voted on a series of proposals to limit food and textiles waste. MEPs with the Council on an extensive revamp of the Eco-Design Directive for products to last longer and be easier to repair, upgrade and recycle. They also reached a deal on new rules on the right to repair.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Consumer policies

European Parliament approved new rules promoting the repair of goods. This footage shows MEPs debating and voting on the provisional agreement reached with the Member States on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers. Consumers receive a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules also put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: extracts from the debate (22.04) and from the vote

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Second part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. First part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) on behalf of IMCO Committee, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) IMCO Committee and Didier REYNDERS, EU Commissioner for Justice

MEPs vote on the following topics: Laying down additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2016/679; New Regulation on Construction Products; Amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards the time limits for the adoption of sustainability reporting standards for certain sectors and for certain third-country undertakings; Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector; Mercury: dental amalgam and other mercury-added products subject to manufacturing, import and export restrictions; Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles; Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain 'Breakfast' Directives; European environmental economic accounts: new modules; Union certification framework for carbon removals; Standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation; and other topics.

Voting Session

How can the EU reform its economic model to benefit consumers and the planet? Aimilios in Belgium and Laetitia in France have (part of) the answer!

Aimilios and his Watt4Ever team recondition old electric car batteries to make new energy storage systems, effectively giving batteries a second life and saving precious raw materials and energy while avoiding additional pollution.

Laetitia and “Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée”, or HOP (“Stop Planned Obsolescence”), campaign for everyday products to last longer and be more repairable.

The European Parliament backs EU-wide measures to promote a circular economy, a right to repair and better recycling of raw materials, to avoid polluting the planet and to benefit your wallet.

EU programmes such as Horizon Europe plus rural and regional development funds make sure such projects get the resources they need.

Making the economy work for you and the planet: meet Aimilios and Laetitia - 9:16 EE24

Making the economy work for you and the planet: meet Aimilios and Laetitia - EE24

Have you ever read a social media post that made you really angry or sad? Or seemed too good to be true? Did you stop to think if it was true?
People who post disinformation use strong emotions to manipulate us and spread their message.
The European Parliament’s communications team helps you understand how they do this and how you can avoid falling into their trap.

How disinformation works | Episode 1: playing on emotions - EE24

How disinformation works | Episode 1: playing on emotions - 9:16 EE24

How does Europe affect our everyday lives? How does it impact on our jobs, our families, our health care, our journeys and our consumer choices? And how is Europe present in our towns, cities and regions? As European citizens, no matter where we live, how we make our living, or how we spend our time, the EU has an impact on our daily lives. The website 'What Europe does for me' presents a wide range of short, easy-to-read texts drawn up by the European Parliamentary Research Service, focusing on what the European Union does and the impact it has on us all. It explores EU actions from the individual’s point of view, with many examples of projects and support.

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Press Conference by René REPASI (S&D, DE), rapporteur on Right to Repair

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Consumer policies

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: extracts from the debate (22.04) and from the vote

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 2)

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 1)

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) IMCO Committee and Didier REYNDERS, EU Commissioner for Justice

Voting Session

Making the economy work for you and the planet: meet Aimilios and Laetitia - 9:16 EE24

Making the economy work for you and the planet: meet Aimilios and Laetitia - EE24

How disinformation works | Episode 1: playing on emotions - EE24

How disinformation works | Episode 1: playing on emotions - 9:16 EE24

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Italian (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Maltese (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Czech (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Gaelic (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Swedish (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting people with disabilities - Hungarian (subtitles)