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Consumer education site now covers sustainable consumption and utilities
The European Commission and its partner university network (EUCEN) have launched two new modules of DOLCETA, an online consumer education tool.
The two new modules are dedicated to sustainable consumption and services of general interest (such as telecoms, energy, transport, water supply and postal services).
Some examples of the issues that consumers can now study online include: a sustainable home (e.g. how to make big savings on energy bills and help tackle climate change
when buying furniture or home appliances), carbon offsetting (how to compensate for the carbon emissions produced when driving a car, flying or even using a computer), or tips
on what to look out for when choosing an energy supplier or a mobile phone operator. |
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Commissioner Kuneva welcomes Maclaren's decision to provide safety kits to all EU consumers
Today Commissioner Kuneva met with the CEO of Maclaren US and welcomed the decision by the company to provide all EU consumers with hinge cover safety kits for their pushchairs.
Press Release (PDF version  )
Maclaren's decision
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EU to overhaul holiday travel protection
On 26 November the European Commission launched a public consultation on the revision of current EU law on package travel, which dates back to 1990.
The Commission will look into possibilities of extending the protection rules to a wider range of travel products offered on today's market.
The rise of the internet and low-cost carriers have revolutionised the way in which consumers organise their holidays. 23% of EU consumers
(and over 40% in countries such as Ireland or Sweden) put together their own "dynamic packages". It is often not clear if these holidaymakers are protected under current EU protection rules.
Online consultation
Consumer Detriment Study
Speech(PDF version )
Press Release (PDF version )
Key Facts and Figures (PDF version )
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF version )
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Consumers: Commissioner Kuneva welcomes new report on airline charges
It is currently difficult for consumers to see clearly the cost of the government taxes and airport charges they pay when buying their airline tickets.
This is important. Consumers are entitled to claim these costs as a refund if they do not use their ticket – but they need to be able to see clearly they amount
of money involved. That is not the case at the moment as was found in the recent joint project by national enforcement authorities.
Report on airline charges
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60% of cross border internet shopping orders are refused, says new EU study
There are widespread problems with refusals of orders for EU consumers trying to purchase goods online in another Member state, according to a
new European Commission report on cross border consumer e-commerce published today. An extensive independent mystery shopping exercise was carried
out for the Commission where shoppers across the EU tried to purchase a list of 100 popular products –for example cameras, CDs, books, clothes - from
a cross border provider. The Communication presents a series of measures to be taken to reduce the complex regulatory environment which is acting as a
disincentive for businesses to serve consumers in other Member States.
Press Release ( PDF version )
Memo ( PDF version )
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EU to set new safety standards for baby sleep products
New child safety standards – for safety of articles commonly used in children's sleeping environment such as cot mattresses, cot bumpers, suspended baby beds, children's duvets and sleeping bags for babies.
Press Release
Memo
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Why not chat online with Commissioner Kuneva about how EU Consumer law can help you as a consumer in your daily life?
On 23 October at 15:00 CET, EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva will chat online with consumers from all over the EU. The chat will focus on how EU consumer law helps consumers in practical terms."
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Citizens' Energy Forum: consumers, industry and regulators endorse recommendations for user-friendly energy bills
The Citizens' Energy Forum meeting in London on 29-30 September, endorsed recommendations for good practice in energy billing, aiming to provide EU consumers with simple, clear and informative
gas and electricity bills. EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva expects that better bills will help EU consumers to save money and use less energy. Currently less than half (45%)
of consumers find it easy to compare offers from energy providers, which can be one of the key reasons why only 8% of consumer switched providers in the past two years.
View examples of good electricity bills
Press Release (PDF version )
Fact sheet (PDF version )
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EU acts to limit health risks from exposure to noise from personal music players
Press Release
Memo
Speech
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Commission report criticises “opaque” bank fee charges
There are widespread problems with the way banks inform and advise their customers according to a European Commission report on retail financial service published on 22 September. Specific problems include information which in many cases is difficult to understand, opaque bank fees, problems with advice and low levels of switching. The report describes the price structures of current accounts as "very opaque making it almost impossible for consumers to know how much they are paying and to compare different offers."
Press release (PDF version )
Fact sheet (PDF version )
Full report
Study on bank fees
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EU crackdown on websites selling consumer electronic goods
On 9 September, EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva announced the results of an EU-wide investigation into misleading advertising and unfair practices on websites selling consumer electronic goods. The clampdown covered 369 websites selling six of the most popular electronic goods to consumers in the EU - digital cameras, mobile phones, personal music players, DVD players, computer equipment and game consoles.
Press release
Questions and Answers
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EU promotes independent comparative product testing in six new countries
Consumers in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia looking for a good value for their money are gaining
access to reliable comparative information on a broad range of popular products, from washing machines to mobile phones.
On 3 September, national consumer associations and members of International Consumer Research and Testing (ICRT) met with the European
Commission to wrap up an EU-supported project aiming to give consumers in the six countries access to the results of independent, comparative testing of consumer products.
Press release (PDF version )
Questions and Answers (PDF version )
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European Consumer Centres – transport remains the number one problem sector for consumers
In 2008, the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) handled over 62.000 contacts with EU consumers who turn to them
for advice or for help with problems in the course of cross -border shopping, both in person and online. In 2008, there was an
increase of 22% in the number of consumers turning to them directly for help. Transport remains the number one problem sector for consumers,
accounting for one third of all the complaints handled by the network.
Press Release
Full Annual Report 2008
ECC success stories: examples of resolved complaints
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EU-wide complaints-classifying system to speed up policy response to failing markets
On 7 July, the European Commission unveiled a blueprint for an EU-wide method for classifying and reporting consumer complaints, inviting public comments on the proposal.
The number of consumer complaints is a key indicator of market health. Currently, about 700 complaint-handling organisations exist in Europe, and most of them use their own
classifications, which makes an overview very difficult, even at a national level. The method should enable national and EU policy makers to more quickly and effectively target markets which are failing consumers.
Press Release
Communication
Staff working document with the draft method
Online questionnaire
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Consumers: Be sun-smart this summer
At the start of the holiday season, the European Commission alerts consumers to the importance of
adequate protection from the sun this summer and reminds them to look out for the clearer labelling regime on sunscreen bottles.
Press release
Memo
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