Consumer protection

This overview is a guide to the content within the Consumer protection (EU Law) subtopic, with links to the appropriate materials. This subtopic examines EU regulations and directives which protect EU consumers and which should be considered in business-to-consumer (B2C) relationships.

Key EU consumer legislation

Prior to contracting or trading with EU consumers, it is important for traders to be aware of the EU legislation that governs B2C relationships. Practice Note: Key EU consumer legislation—summary sets out a brief description of key EU consumer legislation that businesses should consider when dealing with consumers. It covers the core legislation relevant when trading or contracting with consumers within the EU and other key legislation applicable to the B2C relationships in the context of advertising and labelling, data protection, e-commerce, payment, product liability and safety, provision of services, and consumer disputes and enforcement. It also covers sector-specific consumer legislation such as travel and transport. This Practice Note does not cover environmental and life sciences legislation.

To keep up to date with the latest changes in key EU consumer legislation, Practice Note: EU consumer protection—tracker tracks EU commercial legislation

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Latest EU Law News

EPC seeks service provider for VoP scheme test environment

The European Payments Council (EPC) has launched a request for proposal (RFP) for the selection of a technology service provider in charge of providing, operating and supporting a test environment for the validation and self-certification of the verification of payee (VOP) API (both server-side and client-side) by the scheme participants. Responses are sought by 17 January 2025.

Commission finalises comprehensive EU-Switzerland agreement

The European Commission has announced the completion of negotiations with Switzerland on a broad package of agreements aimed at deepening and expanding bilateral relations. The package includes updates to five existing internal market agreements, new agreements on food safety, health, and electricity, and provisions for Switzerland's participation in EU programmes. Key changes involve the application of EU law on free movement of persons, the introduction of state aid provisions, and the establishment of a Common Food Safety Area. The agreement also sets Switzerland's annual financial contribution to EU cohesion at €375m until 2036 and introduces an arbitral tribunal for dispute resolution, with involvement from the European Court of Justice on matters of EU law.

ECB fines BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV for intentionally breaching credit risk reporting rules

The European Central Bank (ECB) has imposed an administrative penalty of €10.4m on BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV for reporting miscalculated risk-weighted assets for credit risk. The bank may challenge the ECB’s decision before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

EIOPA revokes Guidelines and amends Opinion to align with upcoming DORA

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has announced that, in anticipation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) coming into application, it will be withdrawing two previously published Guidelines and amending part of an Opinion. The two Guidelines and Opinion are all related, at least in part, to the use of information communication technology (ICT) by undertakings, and by withdrawing them, EIOPA aims to avoid duplications and overlaps with DORA. The changes will take effect from 17 January 2025.