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Antimicrobial resistance
The European Commission adopted a staff working paper  that aims to be the basis of discussion on the ways
to better tackle the growing health problem of anti-microbial resistance (AMR). The document concludes that, although progress has been made, further actions are needed to improve the assessment and management of AMR.
Press Release
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70% of ringtone-scam websites cleaned following EU investigation
70% of websites investigated for mis-selling ringtones, wallpapers and other mobile phone services have been corrected or closed, following an 18 month EU consumer crackdown carried out by 27 Member States, Norway and Iceland.
Speech (PDF version  )
Press Release (PDF version )
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF version)
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Evaluation of the EU legislation on GM food and feed
A survey of stakeholders has been underway as part of this evaluation. Although the deadline
for taking part in this survey has expired, any stakeholders who would like to contribute, but
have not yet done so, can request a link to the survey from the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium
using this email address: gm@civic-consulting.de. Please note that only responses received before
the end of Friday 13 November will be taken into account.
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Commissioner Kuneva unveils blueprint for future consumer policy
In a speech today, Meglena Kuneva has taken stock of her tenure as European Consumer Commissioner and unveiled a vision document entitled "A Blueprint for Consumer Policy in Europe: Making Markets Work with and for People".
Speech
Midday Express
A Blueprint for Consumer Policy in Europe
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Animal welfare labelling: Commission report launches in-depth political debate
The European Commission has adopted yesterday 28 October a report in which it outlines
a series of options for animal welfare labelling. The overall goal of policy in this area is
to make it easier for consumers to identify and choose welfare-friendly products, and thereby give
an economic incentive to producers to improve the welfare of animals. The report also presents options for
the possible establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals.
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Commission announces a new strategy on "Combating HIV/AIDS in the European Union and Neighbouring Countries, 2009-2013"
A new Commission communciation was approved on 26 October 2009 which sets out priorities to tackle HIV/AIDS across Europe in
the coming years. The Commission strategy aims to contribute
- to reduce new HIV infections across all European countries
by 2013,
- to improve access to prevention, treatment, care and support and
- to improve the quality of life of people
living with, affected by or most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in the European Union and neighbouring countries.
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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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Solidarity in health. Commission announces plans to tackle health inequalities
A Commission Communication was
adopted on 20 October which sets out actions that the European Commission will take to help address health inequalities including:
- Collaboration with national authorities, regions and other bodies
- assessment of the impact of EU policies on health inequalities to ensure that they help reduce them where possible.
- regular statistics and reporting on the size of inequalities in the EU and on successful strategies to reduce them.
- better information on EU funding to help national authorities and other bodies address the inequalities.
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Influenza at the interface between humans and animals
The Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, together with Swedish Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health, Maria Larsson,
will open the conference entitled "Influenza at the interface between humans and animals" on Friday 30 October in the Charlemagne
building in Brussels. More information on the conference and on the registration process can be found here.
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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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Cancer
Launch of the European
Partnership for Action Against Cancer, 29 September 2009 |
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EU Veterinary Week 2009 (28 September - 4 October 2009).
The key slogan retained for the EU Veterinary Week 2009 is "Animals + Humans = One health" which stresses the link between animal and public health.
The week opened with a conference in Brussels on Monday 28 September, at the Cellars of Cureghem, entitled "Animals + Humans = One health". More
information on the conference can be found here.
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World Rabies Day - Monday 28 September - EU pet passports and the fight against rabies.
To celebrate World Rabies Day (28 September), DG SANCO has put together a film entitled "EU pet passports and the fight against rabies"
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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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Pandemic(H1N1)2009 Influenza
Commission adopts EU strategy on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
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