Press releases

The European Commission today presented a proposal to reform the bloc’s main product safety law, called the General Product Safety Directive. Consumer groups welcome that the Commission proposes to improve the law in light of today’s product safety challenges, while retaining the spirit and strong points of the existing law.

On Wednesday (30 June), the European Commission is expected to lay out a plan to reform its General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Consumer groups urge for an ambitious overhaul of this law.

A new test by consumer organisations in four countries found chemicals of concern in single-use tableware made of popular non-plastic alternatives, such as disposable plant fibre bowls, paper straws, or palm leaf plates. Several products were also found to mislead consumers with unsubstantiated green claims. BEUC and its member organisations urge the EU to ensure that single-use plastic alternatives are safe and do not mislead consumers.