The European Commission has adopted the 2030 Consumer Agenda, a strategic plan for EU consumer policy for the next five years. With 450 million consumers in the single market, who contribute to over 51% of the EU’s GDP through household spending, consumers play an essential role in the engine room of our economy. Enhancing consumer trust, […]
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Consumer protection: Council approves updated Alternative Dispute Resolution directive
The Council gave its final approval to a directive updating, simplifying and improving the existing framework for alternative dispute resolution. Alternative dispute resolution refers to out-of-court methods of resolving disputes between consumers and traders, usually with the help of impartial third parties. The legal text adopted today aims to make alternative dispute resolution a more […]
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Commission proposes strengthened cooperation to combat tax fraud
On November 14th, the European Commission proposed an amendment to strengthen cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘EPPO’), the European Anti-Fraud Office (‘OLAF’), and Member States. The proposal provides a legal basis for the exchange of information and access to VAT data, enhancing the EU’s ability to combat fraud against the financial interests of […]
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Commission advances the Savings and Investments Union with measures to mobilise insurers’ and banks’ capital for Europe’s future
The Commission has adopted two measures to support the essential role institutional investors, such as banks and insurers, play in the financing the EU economy. These measures deliver on the roadmap set out in the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) strategy and contribute to the EU’s broader objectives of supporting private investment, improving capital market integration, and strengthening Europe’s long-term competitiveness, for the benefit of […]
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Commission fines fashion brands Gucci, Chloé and Loewe over €157 million for anti-competitive pricing practices
The European Commission has fined fashion companies Gucci, Chloé and Loewe for fixing resale prices in breach of EU competition rules. The Commission’s investigation revealed that the three companies restricted the ability of the independent third party retailers they worked with to set their own online and offline retail prices for products designed and sold […]
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Faster and safer instant euro payments become a reality
From today, sending money across the euro area will be faster and safer than ever. Thanks to new EU rules on instant payments, people and businesses can now transfer money in euro within seconds, anytime – day or night, weekdays or weekends – whether within their own country or across the euro area. Since January 2025, payment service […]
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Commission proposes plan to protect EU steel industry from unfair effects of global overcapacity
The Commission has tabled a proposal to protect the EU steel sector from the unfair effects of global overcapacity, a vital step to ensure the long-term viability of a strategically crucial industry. Fulfilling the commitments set out in the EU Action Plan for Steel and Metal, the proposal maintains the principle of open trade and […]
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Commission consults on revised state aid rules to improve access to affordable housing
The European Commission has today opened a public consultation on the review of state aid rules to assist Member States in the field of affordable housing. This review of the rules on services of general economic interest (SGEI) will address challenges related to housing affordability beyond social housing. The aim is to enable EU countries […]
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EU tourism nights up by 2.3% in first half of 2025
In the first half of 2025, there were 1 279 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations across the EU, a 2.3% increase compared with the first 6 months of 2024 (1 249 million). At country level, Malta (12.7%), Latvia (8.6%) and Poland (8.5%) had the highest increases in the share of overnight stays in tourism accommodation in the […]
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