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Environment, consumers and health
Growing the EU’s online economy
Consumer protection and rights - 11/01/2012
Proposals to encourage more online commerce would make it easier to shop on the Internet across the EU – contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Safety first for children’s toys
Consumer protection and rights - 21/12/2011
As children unwrap the longed-for teddy bear, tricycle or lightsaber this Christmas, their parents can rest assured that toys bought in the EU are the safest in the world.
Helping consumers shop with confidence
Consumer protection and rights - 05/12/2011
New measures will make it faster, easier and cheaper for consumers to resolve disputes with traders when buying goods and services in the EU.
Smart resource use – doing more with less
Environment - 17/10/2011
Our future well-being depends on how efficiently we use resources now. Below are some tips on how we can do this.
Standard European sales contract to ease cross-border shopping
Consumer protection and rights - 14/10/2011
Common set of optional sales rules would ease cross-border trade and cut costs for companies while giving consumers greater choice and protection.
Cyprus and Croatia top EU rankings for bathing water quality
Seas and maritime policy - 28/07/2011
Water at nearly all Europe's coastal and inland bathing sites is clean enough to bathe and swim in, despite a slight decrease in quality.
Green week 2011 – getting more out of using less
Environment - 23/05/2011
European experts feed debate on the EU's approach to protecting, preserving and improving the environment.
Rapex: protecting consumers
Consumer protection and rights - 16/05/2011
Fewer dangerous products reach consumers due to the EU's Rapex rapid alert network.
Transforming healthcare with technology
Public health and healthcare - 11/05/2011
Information and communications technologies help EU healthcare providers deliver better and more efficient services to patients – while reducing costs.
Plan to protect species and habitats
Environment - 03/05/2011
New approach to maintaining biodiversity aims to bring down high species-extinction rates by 2020, restore natural ecosystems in the EU as far as possible, and contribute more to averting a global problem.
Crackdown on online selling protects consumers
Consumer protection and rights - 16/09/2010
Most websites selling electronics goods comply with EU consumer-protection rules, though 60% of sites selling tickets are in breach.
Disaster response: helping countries help each other
Civil protection - 13/08/2010
EU coordinates emergency relief and assistance for countries in need.
Break on roaming fees for mobile phone customers
Consumer protection and rights - 30/06/2010
New EU rule will help phone-users avoid astronomical bills for web-surfing and downloads abroad.
Bulgaria and Portugal join countries with cleanest bathing spots
Seas and maritime policy - 10/06/2010
Water quality decreases slightly, but vast majority of Europe’s beaches, lakes and rivers still clean enough for swimming.
Green week 2010: biodiversity brainstorm
Environment - 01/06/2010
EU opens annual conference on environment policy, gathering thousands of experts for four days of debate.
EU weighs pros and cons of tougher emissions targets
Climate change - 27/05/2010
Study shows cost of responses to global warming is lower today than in 2008, when the EU adopted its climate change goals.
EU seeks fishing cuts in 2011
Seas and maritime policy - 18/05/2010
Commission seeks to balance sustainability with stability in setting next year's catch limits.
Product safety update
Consumer protection and rights - 15/04/2010
Consumers benefit from greater use of European product safety alert system and more effective market surveillance.
More power to consumers
Consumer protection and rights - 19/03/2010
Ideas sought on how to improve train, energy and banking services - a major cause of headaches for consumers in Europe.
IT for sustainable health care
Public health and healthcare - 15/03/2010
With public healthcare systems under pressure from an ageing population, governments are increasingly looking to information technology to provide relief.
Cancer in Europe - the battle goes on
Public health and healthcare - 04/02/2010
Science and information are at the centre of the EU's crusade to bring down cancer rates.
Can we stop biodiversity loss by 2020?
Environment - 19/01/2010
The EU’s goal of stopping animal and plant extinctions by 2010 has not been reached. Now more action is planned – for proper long-term protection of biodiversity by 2020.
How safe are your Christmas lights?
Consumer protection and rights - 24/12/2009
EU testing shows serious risk of shocks and fire in many lights. Stay safe – turn them off when you go to bed or leave the house.
After Copenhagen
Climate change - 21/12/2009
Barroso calls accord a positive step but not nearly ambitious enough for EU.
Road to Copenhagen
Climate change - 30/11/2009
After negotiations from Bangkok to Barcelona, where does the EU stand?
70% of ringtone-scam websites corrected or closed following EU probe
Consumer protection and rights - 17/11/2009
Authorities investigated 301 mobile phone services websites in follow-up to EU crackdown on misleading consumer practices.
Charting a course for maritime policy and sustainable fishing
Seas and maritime policy - 16/10/2009
Proposals tabled for collaboration on sea surveillance, bigger EU role in global maritime affairs and sustainable fishing.
Kursen sat for havpolitikken og et bæredygtigt fiskeri
Seas and maritime policy - 16/10/2009
EU søsætter forslag om integreret havovervågning, større indflydelse på internationale maritime forhold og bæredygtigt fiskeri.
Closing the gaps in cancer rates
29/09/2009
Wide variations in death rates prompt EU to step up joint efforts to prevent, treat, research and share information on cancer.
Hear today, safe tomorrow
Consumer protection and rights - 28/09/2009
Volume to be controlled on MP3 players, iPods and other personal music players, to prevent hearing loss.
Europe goes car-free
Sustainable development - 17/09/2009
Campaign for green transport underscores key role of cities in fighting global warming.
Financing the fight against climate change
Environment - 10/09/2009
Commission sets out first finance proposals for Copenhagen pact on climate change.
Come fire or high water – how the EU responds to natural disasters
Civil protection - 27/08/2009
Whenever its member countries are hit by natural disasters, the EU steps in to help coordinate assistance and fund the reconstruction of essential infrastructure.
Climate change – what do young people have to say?
Climate change - 10/08/2009
'Play to Stop – Europe for climate' – a campaign giving young Europeans a chance to learn and talk about climate change and the environment.
Alzheimer’s on the rise in Europe
23/07/2009
Proposals for coordinated action against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Sea, sun and SMS
Consumer protection and rights - 30/06/2009
EU ends 'roaming rip-off’' with calling, texting and surfing abroad all to become cheaper
Climate change - act and adapt
Climate change - 22/06/2009
“Green week” expected to get people talking about environmental issues between 23 and 26 June.
Testing the waters
Seas and maritime policy - 11/06/2009
Cyprus, Greece, France and Malta have Europe’s cleanest beaches.
Laugh instead of lighting up
05/06/2009
Hundreds take advantage of EU no-smoking site to post videos about dangers of lighting up.
Ocean of opportunity
Seas and maritime policy - 19/05/2009
European maritime day highlights the importance of the sea and oceans for daily life
Monitoring the new flu
05/05/2009
EU works closely together to stem the spread of the A/H1N1 flu virus.
Big break for roaming texters
Consumer protection and rights - 22/04/2009
Using a mobile phone is about to get cheaper again for the tens of millions of people who cross EU borders every day.
Product safety – no compromises
Consumer protection and rights - 20/04/2009
EU keeps consumers safe with alert system for dangerous products.
You’re never too young to look after your health
16/04/2009
“Be healthy – be yourself” campaign encourages young people to become more proactive in protecting their health.
Adapting to a changed climate
Climate change - 01/04/2009
Planning will reduce the impact of climate change on health, energy supplies, transport systems, farming and tourism.
Retirement for floating rust buckets
Seas and maritime policy - 11/03/2009
Ships that pose risks could be blacklisted under maritime safety package approved by European parliament.
Better safe than sorry - new EU strategy on disaster prevention
Civil protection - 24/02/2009
New proposal to strengthen disaster prevention capacities and increase cooperation with developing countries.
Awards for green urban living
Consumer protection and rights - 23/02/2009
Stockholm and Hamburg named first ‘green capitals’. Budapest wins European mobility week award.
Taking the pulse of Europe’s consumers
Consumer protection and rights - 02/02/2009
One in three Europeans dissatisfied with power and gas companies.
Getting a new global deal on climate change
Environment - 28/01/2009
EU foresees major role for carbon trading in efforts to tackle climate change.
Cancer screening rates far off target
26/01/2009
EU countries screen less than half the recommended number of people for cancer and death rates are likely to rise unless action is taken.
Smoother sailing for ships travelling between EU ports
Seas and maritime policy - 21/01/2009
Commission presents plan to streamline customs procedures for ships travelling from one EU port to another – moving towards a maritime space without barriers.
Quality of life in Europe - still many disparities
02/01/2009
Study on quality of life in Europe reveals major disparities between EU countries.
Stor forskel på livskvaliteten i EU
02/01/2009
En undersøgelse af livskvaliteten i EU afslører betydelige forskelle fra land til land.
Qualité de vie en Europe: les écarts persistent
17/12/2008
Une enquête sur la qualité de vie en Europe fait apparaître des différences significatives entre les pays.
Tighter controls on unsafe products
17/11/2008
EU, US and China announce joint efforts to protect consumers from dangerous goods.
Shopping without borders
Consumer protection and rights - 08/10/2008
Consumers to enjoy more rights under proposed EU-wide shopping rules.
New rules on pesticide residues to ensure food safety
03/09/2008
From 1 September, new standards impose uniform limits on pesticide residues in food across the EU.
EU to help school kids fight the flab
28/08/2008
New plans to give free fruit and vegetables to schoolchildren – and extend the range of dairy products already available.
EU helps out with fire-fighting and flood relief
Environment - 25/08/2008
Civil protection mechanism springs into action as EU receives requests for help from several countries around Europe
Healthcare without borders
18/08/2008
Commission calls for rules to make it easier for Europeans to travel abroad for medical treatment
Get fitter, not fatter – Olympians show the way
14/08/2008
Once again the world is witnessing unprecedented feats of speed, strength and endurance at the Olympic games. But if athletes are pushing themselves to the limit, most people are getting less and less physical activity.
Cannabis use levelling off after sharp rise in 90s
30/07/2008
Popularity of cannabis waning among the young.
Fair deal for mobile users – EU acts again
Consumer protection and rights - 17/07/2008
Commission announces crackdown on ring tone scams and high charges for text messaging and mobile websurfing across EU borders.
Green production and shopping to be boosted
Environment - 16/07/2008
A package of new measures will encourage manufacturers to make more eco-friendly goods and make sure shoppers can spot them.
Summer’s potentially fatal attractions - water and sun
14/07/2008
For many, water and sun are what summer is all about - it can be easy to forget the dangers.
Is your workplace a health trap?
13/06/2008
Dangerous work environments costly to European workers and companies.
New chemicals agency opens
Environment - 04/06/2008
European chemicals agency opens in Helsinki with task of putting REACH legal framework into practice.
Time to go green!
Environment - 03/06/2008
A chance to debate and catch up on the latest ideas as green week 2008 kicks off in Brussels. "Only one Earth, don't waste it."
Clean bathing in Europe this summer
Seas and maritime policy - 02/06/2008
Holidaymakers can take to the water with confidence as most bathing areas in Europe meet the quality requirements.
Is your city a green role model?
Environment - 22/05/2008
With towns and cities growing ever bigger, the EU launches a competition to find Europe’s green capital – and encourage improvements in quality of life for millions of city-dwellers.
Europe celebrates its maritime identity and heritage
Seas and maritime policy - 21/05/2008
From this year on, 20 May will be European maritime day.
No data, no market!
Environment - 13/05/2008
EU calls on industry to register chemicals in preparation for new "REACH" regulation on chemicals and their safe use.
No shelf-room for unsafe products
Consumer protection and rights - 17/04/2008
European consumers better protected than ever before thanks to improved national surveillance, says annual RAPEX report.
Alcohol abuse blighting lives across the EU
16/04/2008
The world's heaviest drinking region acts to put a stop to alcohol abuse as figures show disturbing trends.
So you want to go green?
Environment - 25/03/2008
While environmental concerns have firmly taken root in the minds of Europeans, concrete action is still eclipsed by good intentions.
Ageing with dignity – protecting the elderly from abuse
17/03/2008
Elderly people are entitled to protection from abuse, believed to be widespread. EU conference airs uncomfortable truths and demands better care.
Don't shop in the dark!
Consumer protection and rights - 10/03/2008
Most effective European consumer campaign recognised for raising awareness on consumer rights.
Safer surfing for kids
Consumer protection and rights - 28/02/2008
Social networking sites, chat rooms, online gaming – all ways for people to socialise, but when it’s children, the question is: who are they socialising with?
Talking safety – children and the web
Environment - 12/02/2008
EU seeks insight into dangers of new technologies at first Brussels forum for teenagers.
Help to see through unclear pricing
Consumer protection and rights - 31/01/2008
New scoreboard will help you compare the prices of goods and services in different EU countries.
Toy safety rules!
Consumer protection and rights - 25/01/2008
New EU rules to raise toy safety standards, put greater responsibility on manufacturers/importers and beef up national market surveillance.
Easier medical treatment EU wide
04/01/2008
Clearer rules proposed to make travelling abroad for treatment simpler and safer for Europeans.
