Reports
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English
The CLEAR-HP project helped to accompany consumers across Europe throughout the whole purchasing journey of switching from a fossil fuel boiler to a heat pump. The project aimed to raise consumer awareness, build confidence in heat pump technology, and ultimately enhance both the energy efficiency and comfort of people’s homes.
At its core, national consumer organisations in seven European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal) organised collective purchase campaigns for independently-tested heat pumps. Participants benefited from advantageous purchase and installation packages that included consumer support and workshops throughout the process.
At its core, national consumer organisations in seven European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal) organised collective purchase campaigns for independently-tested heat pumps. Participants benefited from advantageous purchase and installation packages that included consumer support and workshops throughout the process.
Reports
Available in
English
This BEUC report takes stock of Europe’s energy markets and sets out key areas for improvement from a consumer perspective, from heat pumps to energy bills and everything in between. This paper details BEUC’s energy policy priorities for consumers into the 2030s, mapping out what is currently working well and what still needs to be improved. BEUC's recommendations relate to important EU initiatives such as the Affordable Energy Action Plan, Affordable Housing Plan and the broader 2030 Consumer Agenda.
Reports
Available in
English
Influencer marketing is everywhere and unavoidable for anyone on social media due to the high volume of content and boundless creativity of social media influencers. Between March and September 2025, 14 BEUC consumer organisations from 12 countries monitored about 650 posts and videos of social media influencers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Although influencer marketing is present in nearly all sectors, this evidence-gathering focused on posts and videos promoting unhealthy food advertising and fast fashion as they are sectors where consumers are likely to be particularly at risks. Evidence confirms the widespread use of hidden advertising practices and how influencers appeal to emotions to shape consumers’ preferences. It also shows how brands use influencer marketing to give a positive spin to their reputation in the eyes of consumers, in particular the youngest ones.
As we identified in 2023, current EU law is only partially able to tackle the problems posed by influencer marketing and needs to be updated.1 It must clarify the responsibilities of the different actors operating in the influencer marketing environment - from influencers and their agencies to brands and online platforms. This report provides additional evidence supporting ongoing policy discussions at EU and national level. This is particularly the case for the EU Digital Fairness Act and the evaluation of the Audiovisual Services Media Directive, both expected in 2026.
Although influencer marketing is present in nearly all sectors, this evidence-gathering focused on posts and videos promoting unhealthy food advertising and fast fashion as they are sectors where consumers are likely to be particularly at risks. Evidence confirms the widespread use of hidden advertising practices and how influencers appeal to emotions to shape consumers’ preferences. It also shows how brands use influencer marketing to give a positive spin to their reputation in the eyes of consumers, in particular the youngest ones.
As we identified in 2023, current EU law is only partially able to tackle the problems posed by influencer marketing and needs to be updated.1 It must clarify the responsibilities of the different actors operating in the influencer marketing environment - from influencers and their agencies to brands and online platforms. This report provides additional evidence supporting ongoing policy discussions at EU and national level. This is particularly the case for the EU Digital Fairness Act and the evaluation of the Audiovisual Services Media Directive, both expected in 2026.