Press releases

The European Commission today published a proposal to improve customs controls. This could help tackle the many challenges authorities face in checking the surge in e-commerce parcels entering the EU for dangerous or non-compliant products. While consumers expect and may think all imports are safe and comply with EU standards, the reality is more complicated.

Today the European Parliament has voted to help consumers make more sustainable choices, improving products’ information and expected lifetime. The legislative initiative, dubbed ‘Empowering Consumers for the green transition’, is a major step forward to contribute to Europe’s efforts towards a circular economy. BEUC applauds the Parliament’s strong position - which strengthens the original Commission proposal - and calls on Member States to adopt a similar approach in the upcoming negotiations to finalise the text.

Consumers could be exposing themselves to food-related risks, as they experience a lack of safe use instructions for food containers and kitchenware. Many continue to use worn or damaged food containers and kitchenware for some time, as an 11-country survey about people’s attitudes, needs, and concerns regarding ‘food contact materials’ [A] underlines. As a result, BEUC is calling for proper regulation of these materials.

Following a complaint by BEUC and its members against Nintendo for premature obsolescence, the company has committed to lifelong free repairs of Nintendo Switch game consoles suffering from ‘Joy Con Drift’.