We shop ‘til we drop, and chuck out just as fast… But this fast fashion, throwaway consumer culture is destroying our planet and creating huge social problems. So, if the EU is serious about achieving its green objectives, it will need to find a way to turn fast fashion into clean, ethical fashion…

EPRS STOA podcast - What if fashion were good for the planet?

The coronavirus pandemic forced most of the world’s population into lockdown… But thanks to digital technologies, we were mostly able to keep on working, studying, shopping and chatting with our loved ones without leaving our homes! But the crisis has also highlighted some painful truths about our digital world…

EPRS policy podcast - How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement

Bank accounts are an essential part of our everyday lives. We use them to manage our money, shop online and pay bills. Yet many EU citizens still find it difficult to change bank or open an account in another country

This is what Europe does for bank account holders

Do you like to save money when you shop? EU laws can help you tell whether you’re getting the best deal and protect you from scams. Here’s how.

This is what Europe does for canny shoppers and bargain hunters

Do you shop online? If so, you’re among the 65 % of internet users in Europe who do. Shopping online is a growing phenomenon, especially among young people. But geo-blocking practices often prevent EU internet users from accessing the services they want. Here’s how the EU is making online shopping easier.

This is what Europe does for cross-border online shoppers

Are you crazy about that silk item? Can’t resist that beautiful pair of shoes? Whether you’re a man or woman, if you love fashion, here are three things the European Union does for you.

This is what Europe does for fashion shoppers

Do you prefer to do your shopping online rather than facing the high-street crowds at the weekend? Here are three examples of how the EU helps online shoppers.

This is what Europe does for people who like shopping online.

Did you know that around 50 % of consumers shop online? It’s convenient to say the least, but what happens when you end up out of pocket? Here’s what Europe is doing to help

This is what Europe does for cross-border creditors

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

There are many examples of AI being used in everyday life: Online shopping and advertising; Web search; Digital personal assistants; Machine translations; Smart homes, cities and infrastructure; Cars; Cybersecurity; Artificial intelligence against Covid-19; Fighting disinformation, etc. &nbsp;

In March Plenary session the Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.

The regulation, agreed in negotiations with member states in December 2023, was endorsed by MEPs with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions.

It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

Robotics and artificial intelligence

Geo-blocking and other geographically-based restrictions undermine online shopping and cross-border sales. Proposed in May 2016 as part of the Digital Single Market, the Regulation to end unjustified geoblocking was identified as a legislative priority for 2017.

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For citizens this means they will be able to buy their new electrical goods online, rent a car or get their concert tickets across borders the same as they do at home. It will ensure that they no longer face barriers such as being asked to pay with a debit or credit card issued in another country. For businesses, this means more legal certainty to operate cross-border.

Geo-blocking - 8th parliamentary term

Two decades ago, euro notes and coins entered into circulation, bringing tangible benefits to people and companies across the EU.

The single currency has made it easier for people to compare prices across borders, to shop and travel and to make savings in a stable currency. It also opened up more opportunities for businesses, as the costs and uncertainty of dealing with fluctuating exchange rates disappeared.

The February 2022 plenary session started with a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Euro, followed by a debate with ECB President Lagarde.

20th Anniversary of the Euro

European measures for consumer protection are intended to protect the health and safety and economic and legal interests of European consumers, wherever they live, travel or shop in the EU.

EU provisions regulate both physical transactions and e-commerce, and contain rules of general applicability together with provisions targeting specific products, including medicines, genetically modified organisms, tobacco products, cosmetics, toys and explosives.

Consumer protection (2019-2020)

As of 3 December 2018, Europeans are able to shop online without unjustified geo-blocking, wherever they are in the EU.

For citizens this means that they are able to buy their new electrical goods online, rent a car or get their concert tickets across borders as they do at home. Consumers no longer face barriers such as being asked to pay with a debit or credit card issued in another country. For businesses, this means more legal certainty to operate cross-border.

#EUelections2019 - Geo-blocking

Ylva Anna Maria Lindh was born on June 19 1957 in Enskede, in Stockholm. She was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1998. She was murdered on 10 September 2003, aged 46, while she was shopping in a department store in central Stockholm.

Anna Lindh is one of the eight women highlighted at the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD) which is held every year on 8 March.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Discover also the other portraits :

#IWD2019 -  Anna Lindh

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

Florence (Firenze), Italy - Luxury industry (shops)

Rehabilitation of the former railway station of Turckheim, near Strasbourg, France. A spa and wellness center is already open. Other shops and appartements are planned.

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Rural desertification - Rehabilitation of a former train station into a bicycle shop

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

EYE 2016 - Fair trade: Shopping with a little added love?

UNKN

Rules on VAT and VAT mini one-stop shop (MOSS) for digital services, books and papers in the EU

Farm to fork strategy on sustainable food

COVID-19 pandemic crisis - shopping in pandemic times

Employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic -

A tourist centre is closed in Lisbon downtown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A woman walks in front of closed shops in the centre of Barcelona during the second lockdown period imposed by the authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Placards reading «Maximum capacity 30% of local capacity», on the left and « keep distance 1,5 meters on the right are displayed on the window of a shoe shop in the centre of Barcelona.

Carrots in bulk in an organic food shop

gunsho, arms, guns, repair shop, gunsmith

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

MAES Sebastien; SITARAM Anya; GERNET Jean-Baptiste; BRONDEL Adrien

EYE 2016  ' Fair trade : shopping with a little added love ? '

Georgios ANASTASSOPOULOS, John Walls CUSHNAHAN, Petrus A.M.CORNELISSEN, Mark Francis WATTS, Pat COX

Demonstration to keep the Duty Free in the airports near the European Parliament in Brussels

Electronic Cigarettes, e-Liquid, Clearomizer

E-Cigarette shop

Man preparing order to be delivered

A worker drive a forklift in a wood shop in Nea Vissa a village at borders Greece-Turkey near Orestiada, some 900km north of Athens, on 18 October, 2012.

Print shop booth inside the European Parliament in Brussels

Shop closed after riot damage in Athens

Local mini-market in Athens

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

In ix-Xewkijafood-Gozo, EP President Roberta METSOLA takes a tour to Magro Food Village which is a foodmaking and crafts company. She visits the shop, meets with the board and has a look at the factory.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta (Ix-Xewkija): visit of a food-making and crafts company

Europe's economic situation has been hit by the energy crisis resulting from Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Member States are coping with the new situation by promoting trade through the single market that exists within their territory. Boosting digitalisation brings many benefits to society as well. The EU wants to strengthen its digital sovereignty and set standards, rather than follow standards set by others, to make Europe fit for the digital age. This infoclip shows factories, industries and shops, workers in their trades and citizens using electronic devices.

Infoclip: Economy, energy and digital

MEPs from the Agriculture Committee adopted a report on the reform of EU rules for registering and protecting geographical indications (GIs) for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and quality schemes for agricultural products. This infoclip illustrates several EU products such as ham, wine, olive oil and cheese.

Infoclip: Geographical indications for wine and agricultural products

On 27 April, ENVI Members vote on the own-initiative report on the Sustainable Textiles Strategy. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles is an integral part of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. It sets out to create a coherent framework to facilitate the transition of the textiles industry to a more sustainable and climate-neutral model by 2030. Specific ambitions include ensuring that textile products placed on the EU market are durable, recyclable and made largely of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced in full respect of human and workers.

Infoclip: Circular economy: sustainable textile strategy (updated version)

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Closing statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

General Product Safety Regulation: closing statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online.

General Product Safety Regulation: MEPs debate

MEPs debate and vote on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Extracts from the debate, the vote and statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ).

General Product Safety Regulation: extracts from the debate, from the vote and statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ)

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Opening statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur. Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy and by René REPASI (S&D, DE) JURI Committee.

General Product Safety Regulation: opening statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and by René REPASI (S&D, DE)

2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). The Familly farm "Ferme de la Croix" in Villers-le-Bouillet / Fize-Fontaine is Established in the village for 5 generations cultivating the land and raising livestock. They try to adapt the agricultural practices to environmental challenges and animal welfare. They also diversified their production, opening their own butcher shop on the farm and producing artisanal pasta. This Infoclip illustrates: cattle on the field, feeding the cattle, harvesting, artisanal pasta production and butcher shop.

Infoclip: 60 years of the CAP - modern agriculture example (Belgium)

This Infoclip illustrates the West Wall and Dome of the Rock district, security checks, Curch of the Holy Sepulcre, old city, shopping mall, Yad Washem memorial, various institutional buildings (Minister for Finances, Minister for Interior and Minister for Foreign Affairs) and the Knesset (outside and plenary session views).

Infoclip: Jerusalem (Israel)

The need for an urgent EU Action Plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine emerged in the debate. This Infoclip illustrates the food chain, fields and harvests of corn, cereals, sunflowers, animal feed, shops and markets.

Infoclip: Food security inside the EU

Within the recycling centre in Brussels, a team supervised by the association "Les Petits Riens" is present on site to examine the objects brought there. If these can be reused, they are stored, sorted and then recovered via second-hand shops. The participants in this project are in professional reintegration. The ESF aims to support that kind of project to help people find better jobs and to offer more equitable professional prospects. This Infoclip illustrates people selecting items that can be treated in the waste collection center, sorting and packaging center for clothes, sorting and repair center for toys, repair shop for household appliances and second-hand store.

Infoclip: Circular economy and social inclusion

Up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans each year. About three quarters of the marine litter in the world's seas is plastic. As from the 3rd of July 2021, according to the legislation adopted by the European Parliament in 2019, single use plastic items such as straws or plastic plates will be forbidden. This infoclip illustrates the uses of various sort of alternatives to single use plastics in fast-food and shopping.

Infoclip: Alternatives to single use plastics

Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU.The population dynamic in the EU has an impact on various aspects of life, from economic and social repercussions to cultural and environmental effects. This infoclip illustrates depopulated villages in Alsace (France) and projects to revitalise the economic activity, the Region of Kiruna (northernmost town in Sweden) and projects to attract new inhabitants (tourism, Institute of Space physics,...).

Infoclip: Reversing demographic trends in EU regions

Electronics are the fastest growing source of waste in the EU. In 2017, more than 3.5 million tonnes were collected and only 40 % were recycled. In addition to producing less waste, repairing more devices would help us use fewer resources, emit less greenhouse gases and consume less energy. However, according to a Eurobarometer survey, less than one third of consumers say they have repaired a product in the last six months. Options to repair a phone or washing machine can be limited. Sometimes, repairing is costly, it is difficult to find a repair shop, spare parts are lacking or the components are irreplaceable. What are the current measures encouraging consumers to repair their belongings? What can the EU develop to increase the reparability of electronics? ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Reparability: longer-lasting electronics

The EU dairy sector is the second biggest agricultural sector in the EU, representing more than 12 % of total agricultural output. The Farm to Fork Strategy aim to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly. This infoclip illustrates a local farm producing their own dairy products to sell them directly to local customers using cooperative shops.

Infoclip: Common Agriculture Policy - Dairy production

The 'Farm to Fork' strategy put forward the EU’s ambition for making its food system a model of sustainability at all stages of the food value chain. This infoclip illustrates local farming, dairy production, poultry farming and consumer cooperative (region of Strasbourg - France).

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Florence (Firenze), Italy - Luxury industry (shops)

Florence (Firenze), Italy - Luxury industry (shops)

Florence (Firenze), Italy - Luxury industry (shops)

Florence (Firenze), Italy - Luxury industry (shops)

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Rural desertification - Rehabilitation of a former train station into a bicycle shop