BEUC NEWS - 16.12.2021

In just a couple of weeks’ time, France will take over the rotating Presidency of the EU. With our member organisations UFC-Que Choisir and CLCV (Consommation Logement et Cadre de Vie), we encourage the French government to make sure their six-month term at the helm of the EU Council will help to improve the lives of consumers across Europe.

We have just published our recommendations to ensure the EU institutions make great strides on the initiatives of high relevance to consumers. Here is a snapshot of the files we consider will be major:

• The General Product Safety Regulation: the proposed revision must ensure that products can be more effectively traced throughout the supply chain and that market surveillance authorities have the necessary tools to successfully withdraw dangerous products from the market.

• The Consumer Credit Directive: the revision of the directive should ensure that consumers of financial services are treated fairly and adequately protected against irresponsible lending practices.

• ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package: the revision of several key pieces of legislation should strongly enhance the ability of consumers to switch to more sustainable heating and cooling systems and opt for more sustainable mobility.

• The Sustainable Product Initiative and ‘Empowering the consumer for the green transition’: The first needs to make sustainable and durable products the norm by setting stronger requirements at the design stage of products. The second should give consumers better information regarding products’ durability and repairability and introduce measures to counter greenwashing and premature product obsolescence.

• The Artificial Intelligence Act: consumers should benefit from artificial intelligence rather than be exposed to new risks. The proposed Regulation should be expanded in scope and protect consumers from economic harm and discrimination caused by commercial uses of AI. Consumers must have a strong set of rights and access to effective remedies and redress mechanisms in case of harm, including collective redress.

• The ePrivacy Regulation: This legislation should lead to a higher level of privacy protection for consumers in the digital age and should complement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

• The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA): While the DSA should increase the liability of online marketplaces to ensure safe products and services and tighten the due diligence obligations of platforms, the DMA must create more open and fairer digital markets for consumers.

Delve into our memorandum to learn more about what is at stake for the French Presidency.
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