BEUC - The Consumer Voice

EU publishes much-needed plans to reduce consumers’ energy bills The European Commission published today some much-needed measures to help keep energy bills affordable in its Citizens Energy Package, which aims to help EU countries implement existing energy legisla...

The EU today published much-needed plans to reduce consumers’ energy bills. The move comes as Europe potentially faces another energy price crisis caused by fossil fuel dependence.

This could reduce energy bills and give consumers more protections (inc. for most vulnerable).

Our reaction 👇

Some big manufacturers stop retailers from buying products in other EU countries. These “territorial supply constraints” keep prices artificially high and limit choice. BEUC and @eurocommerce.bsky.social urge the EU to end these unfair barriers. Read more: www.beuc.eu/letter/joint...

Energy affordability affects us all: here's what the EU can do Bringing down energy prices is a top priority for Europeans following the gas crisis and recent uncertainty in the Middle East.

Energy prices are at the top of the political agenda once again.

But policymakers must keep in mind that energy affordability affects us all: businesses of all sizes *and* households.

BEUC Director General @arcapde.bsky.social explains what the EU can do in our new blog 👇

EU confusingly bans some “meaty” names for plant-based foods EU institutions agreed to ban meat-related names for vegetarian and vegan products arguing they create confusion for consumers. This makes little sense and consumers say otherwise.

🥓 No more veggie "bacon"or "chicken" but veggie burger and sausage are still ok.

EU institutions regrettably agreed to ban 31 meat-related terms for plant-based food, arguing they create confusion for consumers, when the majority agrees with them.

Our reaction: www.beuc.eu/press-releas...

Your Choice by Default thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act As a consumer, through the Digital Markets Act (DMA), you are entitled to more choice by default, greater control over your data, better value when using apps and online services, and better search an...

7 March marks 2 years since the EU’s Digital Markets Act entered into application. Since then, consumers have a right to more choice, stronger control over their data, and improved search and shopping results. The first benefits are already visible across the EU ➡️ www.beuc.eu/factsheets/y...

🚨The EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products recorded 4,671 alerts in 2025, showing unsafe goods are still reaching #consumers across Europe.
🔎Digital product passports can help, but essential warnings must stay on paper too.
📰Read ANEC's press release here: anec.eu/images/Publi...

EU must step up its efforts to curve the high number of unsafe products entering Europe The European Commission published its annual report on dangerous non-food products reported to its alert system (Safety Gate). High numbers of unsafe products call for market surveillance overhaul.

New Commission Safety Gate data on unsafe products calls for a market surveillance overhaul:

1️⃣Online marketplaces must be liable when no one else ensure consumer safety in the EU
2️⃣The EU should fast-track action on cross-border risks affecting consumers

Reaction: www.beuc.eu/press-releas...

We agree. Energy affordability affects us all: both businesses and households. Our take on everything the EU can do to ensure energy remains affordable 👇

Energy affordability affects us all: here's what the EU can do Bringing down energy prices is a top priority for Europeans following the gas crisis and recent uncertainty in the Middle East.

Energy prices are at the top of the political agenda once again.

But policymakers must keep in mind that energy affordability affects us all: businesses of all sizes *and* households.

BEUC Director General @arcapde.bsky.social explains what the EU can do in our new blog 👇

A new report by our member the Norwegian Consumer Council shows how digital products and services are getting worse as soon as you got used to them. Consumers need stronger protections against such practices!

Watch their new video and read the report to find out how we can counteract this trend📱⬇️

@arcapde.bsky.social showed at @economist.com's Antitrust Summit: Competitive telecom markets such as 🇷🇴, 🇵🇹 and 🇪🇸 are above 90% fiber rollout, while consolidated ones like 🇩🇪 and 🇧🇪 stay below 30%. Strong merger control drives competition and investment and keeps prices lower and choices diverse.

Pensions crisis: will the PEPP help solve it? Europe is facing a pensions crisis. But will a revamped Pan-European Pensions Product be enough to help solve the crisis in Europe?

Retirement might seem far off for many of us. Even with increasing pension ages, it's something that requires preparation.

With reduced state pensions, consumers are having to look for other ways to save.

Is the Pan-European Pension Product the answer? Find out in this Friday read on our blog 👇

Better shortage prevention and timelier access to medicines In a few years, consumers should face fewer medicines shortages and benefit from improved access to generics thanks to the revised EU Pharmaceutical Legislation.

🤔 Curious about what the recent deal on the EU Pharma Legislation will change for consumers?

BEUC has compiled the positive changes the rules will bring in terms of access to medicines 👇

www.beuc.eu/success-stor...

Ganamos la demanda colectiva de revolving contra Carrefour Victoria histórica en el Supremo

🎉 Victory of our member Asufin in class action against Carrefour.

🇪🇸 Supreme Court ruled consumers weren't sufficiently aware of revolving credit cards' risks.

Consumers were offered low monthly payments but at very high interest, creating indefinite debt.

Consumers can now seek reimbursement.

*Update* Good news: this is now back on @ec.europa.eu's agenda and scheduled for 10 March!

Welcome to the Consumer Education Hub! Browse through all the initiatives that help consumers navigate markets better and get inspired to create your own!

Digital Learning Day is a great moment to spotlight tools that help people navigate today’s complex markets as consumers. The Consumer Education Hub gathers concrete consumer education initiatives so authorities, educators and consumer organisations can learn from each other and scale what works.

Our first panel brings together:

🗣️ Urs Buscke, @beuc.eu
🗣️ Dries Cuijpers, @acm.org
🗣️ Martins Prieditis, DG JUST, @ec.europa.eu
🗣️ Eugene McQuaid, TikTok
🗣️ Tim Stok, @tencent.bsky.social
🗣️ Lennart Wetzel, Snap

Moderated by @zach-meyers.bsky.social, with reflections from Amelia Fletcher, CERRE

We’re disappointed then to hear that @ec.europa.eu has once again postponed its Citizens Energy Package.

This would have been a key part in delivering better protection and more affordable bills.

@teresaribera.ec.europa.eu Dan Jørgensen

Energy is complex and participating in the transition can be difficult. That’s why consumers need to be properly protected, can access renewables, and benefit from innovative energy contracts.

Protecting EU data and privacy rights in the Digital Omnibus The EU digital rulebook has been designed to protect consumers’ data and privacy in the new digital economy. At the core of it, there is a careful balance of interests which the EU’s Digital Omnibus n...

If implemented, these changes will make it more difficult for consumers to protect their data from unlawful processing and to challenge possible violations.

🔗 Read our recommendations and full position now: www.beuc.eu/position-pap...

Protecting EU data and privacy rights in the Digital Omnibus The EU digital rulebook has been designed to protect consumers’ data and privacy in the new digital economy. At the core of it, there is a careful balance of interests which the EU’s Digital Omnibus n...

🖥️ The EU's Digital Omnibus proposal on the GDPR goes beyond targeted modifications.

⚠️ It weakens longstanding consumer protections regarding data and privacy by reopening the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive.

Pensions crisis: will the PEPP help solve it? Europe is facing a pensions crisis. But will a revamped Pan-European Pensions Product be enough to help solve the crisis in Europe?

With ageing populations, falling birthrates and increasing job automation in many countries, Europe is increasingly struggling to foot the bill for its state pension system.

Could the Pan-European Pension Product be part of the solution?

Pensions crisis: will the PEPP help solve it? Europe is facing a pensions crisis. But will a revamped Pan-European Pensions Product be enough to help solve the crisis in Europe?

With ageing populations, falling birthrates and increasing job automation in many countries, Europe is increasingly struggling to foot the bill for its state pension system.

Could the Pan-European Pension Product be part of the solution?

Innovation or irrelevance: How Big Tech has framed EU’s choices - SOMO Big Tech has become the largest corporate lobbying force in the EU, spending more than EUR 35 million to influence EU institutions in 2025.

👥 It is important that policy and decision-makers continue to listen to a wide variety of voices to ensure our rules remain inclusive and effective.

👍 Strong consumer rights foster trust, boost competitiveness and encourage innovation.

Discover their research ➡️ www.somo.nl/how-big-tech...

Big Tech companies have put a lot of effort and money into making EU efforts to regulate them fail.

💰 Research by @somoamsterdam.bsky.social showed that Big Tech lobbying in 2025 exceeded that of the finance, energy and chemicals sectors, framing the EU's DMA, DSA and AI Act in their favour.

The rise of bad financial advice: why you should be wary of 'finfluencers' - Which? Misleading money tips are rife online. We debunk some of the dubious claims being made by financial influencers

Misleading money tips are rife online. Our 🇬🇧 member Which? explains why it's good to be wary of 'finfluencers' when looking for financial advice 👇

Pensions crisis: will the PEPP help solve it? Europe is facing a pensions crisis. But will a revamped Pan-European Pensions Product be enough to help solve the crisis in Europe?

PEPP to the rescue? Will @ec.europa.eu's revamped Pan-European Pension Product help solve Europe's pensions crisis?

Read more in our latest blog article 👇

Pensions crisis: will the PEPP help solve it? Europe is facing a pensions crisis. But will a revamped Pan-European Pensions Product be enough to help solve the crisis in Europe?

PEPP to the rescue? Will @ec.europa.eu's revamped Pan-European Pension Product help solve Europe's pensions crisis?

Read more in our latest blog article 👇

Consumers deserve affordable energy too There was a lot of public attention around the Industry Summit in Antwerp and many of the discussions revolved around energy affordability. As the European Commission President herself said: energy pr...

Much of the discussion at the Industry Summit last week was about energy affordability. As @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu said: prices are still too high.

But let’s remember: energy prices affect us all. Affordability is consumers' top concern when it comes to energy says our @arcapde.bsky.social 👇

Switching from a gas boiler can mean big savings on consumers' energy bills and more thermal comfort, especially in the summer.

But the up-front cost of a heat pump can still be an issue - read more via @eurcorrespond.bsky.social 👇