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How to protect consumers through (yet) another fossil fuel crisis

The war in the Middle East has triggered another energy shock, with consumers having to pay the price (yet) again. BEUC (The European Consumer...

Energy markets Energy consumer rights Sustainable mobility Renewable energy
Press releases
EU must make electric mobility more accessible to consumers

The European Commission today published its Automotive Package which will revise the car CO2 emissions target along with setting new electrification...

Sustainable mobility
Press releases
21 airlines commit to stop greenwashing following a BEUC complaint

Following a complaint by BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, 21 major airlines have committed to stop using claims that mislead consumers about...

Enforcement
News
High-speed rail action plan could be just the ticket for consumers

The European Commission today published its High-Speed Rail Action Plan, to get Europe’s railways back on track and make sustainable travel a more...

Sustainable mobility
News
Cheaper but hard to find: new report shows unequal access to ecolabelled products in Europe

Buying ecolabelled products is convenient, but not everyone has the same access to them, shows a new report published today by The European Consumer...

EU Ecolabel
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Ecodesign & Energy label
EU Ecolabel
European Green Deal
Sustainable mobility
EU makes 5 household appliances safer and repairable but does not go the full mile
Press releases
EU makes 5 household appliances safer and repairable but does not go the full mile
- PDF Document - 171 KB

Ecodesign & Energy label
Available in English
The EU has just adopted the ‘Ecodesign’ package which will improve five types of products that most consumers own at home: lighting, fridges, TV screens, dishwashers and washing machines. Besides relying on less energy, the appliances will be easier to fix and, in some cases, safer. However, the measures should have gone further to make it easy for consumers to repair their goods.
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10 years on from the first inefficient light bulb ban, consumers have saved up to €1,330
Press releases
10 years on from the first inefficient light bulb ban, consumers have saved up to €1,330
- PDF Document - 137.35 KB

Ecodesign & Energy label
Available in English
In the decade after EU rules on energy-efficient lighting kicked in, the average European household has saved up to €1,330 − the equivalent combined price of a mid-range washing machine, fridge and dishwasher. The figure comes from a new study commissioned by ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation, and BEUC, The European Consumer Organisation.
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The EU adopts simpler Energy label on consumer goods
Press releases
The EU adopts simpler Energy label on consumer goods
- PDF Document - 139.34 KB

Ecodesign & Energy label
Available in English
The European Commission has just agreed on the revamp of the energy label for lighting, fridges, TV screens, dishwashers and washing machines. BEUC and its sister organisation ANEC - the consumer voice in standardisation - have long called for such an update, which will enable consumers to better understand how much energy their appliances consume.
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Consumers are increasingly willing to buy sustainable products, especially energy-efficient ones, in order to minimise their impact on the environment. All too often though, confusing information and a great variety of industry claims make this difficult. What makes it even more complicated is the lack of enough sustainable products in EU shops and that they are barely identifiable.

  • Improve the sustainability of products by reducing their impact on the environment
  • Give consumers the possibility to make informed and sustainable choices between different products using independent and verified labels (such as the Ecolabel). Unsustainable products to be taken off the market
  • Reduce the carbon footprint of transport in Europe while ensuring consumers benefit from improved information and cost reductions