Press releases

The European Commission today put forward its plans to update the EU’s rules about digital services such as those offered by online search companies (e.g. Google), e-shops (e.g. Amazon) and social networks (e.g. Facebook). It also proposes legislation detailing dos and don’ts for so-called digital gatekeepers and new powers to investigate markets these companies operate on. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) supports this long-awaited legislation that would make digital players more accountable, protect consumer rights and lead to more choice of innovative digital services. We therefore welcome these proposals but the European Parliament and the EU Council must ensure the legislation goes further, particularly in relation to liability of online marketplaces to protect consumers and future-proof measures to address the problems created by online gatekeepers. The Parliament and Council must therefore resist the huge lobbying efforts of Big Tech companies to dilute these proposals.

Today, the Court of Justice of the EU, although ruling in favour of Groupe Canal+’s appeal on procedural grounds, confirmed that the General Court was right in its assessment of the anti-competitive nature of the clauses in its judgement of 12 December 2018.

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) welcomes the European Commission’s decision today to fine Teva and Cephalon 30 and 30.5 million euros respectively for agreeing not to market a cheaper generic version of Cephalon's drug for sleep disorders, modafinil, in Europe for six years. The “pay for delay” agreement, which the Commission has found to violate EU antitrust rules, allowed Cephalon to charge European patients and healthcare systems higher prices for the drug in the six year period before Teva finally marketed its generic alternative.

Today the European Commission adopted the “Consumer Agenda”, its consumer policy strategy for the next five years. It lays down the Commission’s consumer policy objectives and will serve as guidance to include consumer interests in all policy areas. Focus areas are the green and digital transition as well as the post-COVID economic recovery.