Elk jaar, op 15 maart, is het Werelddag van de Rechten van de Consument. Op deze dag vergroten we het bewustzijn over consumentenrechten en over hoe deze in de hele wereld worden beschermd. Het Europees Parlement speelt een cruciale rol bij de bescherming van de rechten van alle consumenten in de Europese Unie. De EU telt meer dan 450 miljoen consumenten. Eerlijke behandeling, transparantie en veilige producten en diensten zijn dan ook essentieel. Laten we ontdekken hoe je rechten als consument in de EU worden beschermd.

Werelddag van de Rechten van de Consument

To help consumers to make healthier food choices, the European Commission wants producers of foods and drinks to display clear nutritional information on the front-of-pack. But this may not be so simple… Some Member States have already introduced their own labelling schemes to mark “healthy” products but will the EU win the battle at European scale?

EPRS policy podcast - Nutrition labelling schemes used in Member States

The EU has some of the strongest rules on consumer protection in the world! But sometimes, it can be difficult to enforce them… So, what can you do, as European consumer, if you’re not getting value for money? Get to know your rights!

EPRS policy podcast - Enforcement of consumer protection

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

MEPs&nbsp;debate the current energy outlook amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The US and Israeli bombings of Iran and Tehran’s attacks on shipping crossing the Strait of Hormuz as well as on energy infrastructure in the Gulf have led to a sharp increase in hydrocarbon prices, highlighting the persistent vulnerabilities within international energy markets.

Against this backdrop, MEPs&nbsp;quiz Council and Commission representatives on possible measures to enhance the EU’s energy security while maintaining market stability and affordability. Parliament is currently working on the grids package legislative proposals aiming to lower electricity prices via boosting grid infrastructure and on an update of the Trans-European networks for Energy (TEN-E) guidelines.

The European Council conclusions of 19 March 2026 underscored the urgency of advancing Europe’s energy transition as the primary strategy for enhancing strategic autonomy, resilience, and long-term affordability.

Energy prices

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.&nbsp;

Concerning toys, they are specifically covered by the stricter&nbsp;Toy Safety Directive&nbsp;(2009/48/EC).&nbsp;The EU's Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) is the legislation that sets safety criteria for toys marketed in the European Union to ensure they do not pose a risk to children's health and safety. It covers general and specific risks, including physical, flammability, chemical, and electrical hazards. All toys sold in the EU must have a CE mark, which indicates compliance with the directive and other applicable laws, and the directive defines a "toy" as any product intended for play by children under 14.&nbsp;

The European Parliament has supported a new toy safety regulation, reaching a provisional agreement with the Council in April 2025 and approving the Council's position in November 2025. The new rules reinforce safety standards by banning or restricting hazardous chemicals like PFAS and endocrine disruptors, introducing digital product passports for better traceability, and banning allergenic fragrances in certain toys.&nbsp;

Consumer product safety

Following Parliament’s approval during October I plenary, EU consumers will soon be able to use a single charging solution for their electronic devices.

&nbsp;By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Council will have to formally approve the Directive before it is published in the EU Official Journal. It will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the rules and 12 months after the transposition period ends to apply them. The new rules would not apply to products placed on the market before the date of application.

Common EU charger

MEPs, Council and the Commission discuss how to ensure energy supply, market stability, and affordable energy for industry and citizens in the current challenging geopolitical context.

EP Plenary debate on the Energy security

IMCO Members of the European Parliament are increasing scrutiny of major online marketplaces over the sale of unsafe or illegal products in the EU. As part of this work, the Parliament’s Internal Market Committee invited a representative from AliExpress to a discussion on 23 March 2026. The meeting follows earlier discussions with other platforms and reflects growing concern about product safety, consumer protection, and enforcement of EU rules online.

SHEIN appeared before IMCO on 27 January 2026. The session took place as lawmakers increased attention on how online marketplaces follow EU rules on product safety, consumer protection, and digital platforms. Members are also examining how the European Commission enforces these rules within the EU single market.

Over the past months, Members urged the Commission to strengthen action against illegal and unsafe goods entering the EU, including products sold through large platforms such as SHEIN and Temu. Several Members warned that slow or uneven enforcement across EU countries weakens consumer protection and creates unfair competition. They called for closer cooperation, updates to customs rules, and regular dialogue with online platforms to improve oversight across the market.

IMCO intends to continue holding regular scrutiny sessions on this topic with the Commission and stakeholders.

IMCO discussion with AliExpress representative

SHEIN/illegal and unsafe products online. Representatives of the online Chinese marketplace SHEIN appear before the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) to discuss compliance with EU product safety, consumer protection, and online platforms rules.

Illegal and unsafe products online: SHEIN under the EU spotlight - IMCO Committee meeting

Voting session

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 Committee: Temu faces EU scrutiny for systemic sale of unsafe and illegal products

EP Plenary Session - Energy security, independence and supply in the geopolitical context - ensuring market stability and affordable energy for industry and citizens

IMCO - AliExpress faces EU scrutiny for systemic sale of unsafe and counterfeit goods

EP Plenary Session - Amending Regulations on agricultural products as regards market rules and sectoral support measures in the wine sector and for aromatised wine products

IMCO - Illegal and unsafe products online: SHEIN under the EU spotlight

EP Plenarysession - 2030 Consumer Agenda

EP Plenary session - Protecting citizens’ right to make cash payments and ensuring financial inclusion

IMCO - Vote on Protection of minors online

Marilena RAOUNA, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, close the debate on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its current and future implications on energy prices as well as on the availability of fertilizers for our agricultural needs, and how to respond to it. This debate is held after EU heads of state or government met in Cyprus to discuss how to protect vulnerable households and businesses from high energy prices.

EU strategy to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: closing statements by Marilena RAOUNA, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner

This video shows MEPs, the Council and the Commission debating the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its current and futur implications on energy prices as well as on the availability of fertilizers for our agricultural needs, and how to respond to it. This debate is held after EU heads of state or government met in Cyprus to discuss how to protect vulnerable households and businesses from high energy prices.

EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: MEPs debate (part 3)

EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: MEPs debate (part 2)

EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: MEPs debate (part 1)

One round of political group leaders begin the debate on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its current and futur implications on energy prices as well as on the availability of fertilizers for our agricultural needs, and how to respond to it. This debate is held after EU heads of state or government met in Cyprus to discuss how to protect vulnerable households and businesses from high energy prices.

EU strategy to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: One round of political group leaders

Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission opens the debate on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its current and futur implications on energy prices as well as on the availability of fertilizers for our agricultural needs, and how to respond to it. This debate is held after EU heads of state or government met in Cyprus to discuss how to protect vulnerable households and businesses from high energy prices. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU strategy to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Marilena RAOUNA, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs opens the debate on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its current and futur implications on energy prices as well as on the availability of fertilizers for our agricultural needs, and how to respond to it. This debate is held after EU heads of state or government met in Cyprus to discuss how to protect vulnerable households and businesses from high energy prices. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU strategy to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers: opening statement by Marilena RAOUNA, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs

This news item shows extracts from the debate on EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis and its implications on energy prices. MEPs, the Council and the Commission discuss how to respond to the ongoing Middle East crisis and its implications for energy prices. With developments in Iran and the wider region threatening regional and global security, the EU is advocating de-escalation and peace, as well as freedom of navigation. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, highlights the severe economic impact of the war, increasing by €27 billion in just 60 days of conflict the fossil fuel import costs with no additional energy gained and boosts renewable and nuclear energy production. MEPs propose solutions and measures to control energy prices, ranging from promoting the European Grids Package to introducing a European tax on oil companies’ windfall profits.

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