Online sales have increased drastically in the last 20 years with 71% of consumers shopping online in 2020, often buying new smartphones, laptops, and other technological products. The trend accelerated significantly with the COVID-19 pandemic and the following rush to digitalisation. 

In response to these changes, on 30th June, the European Commission proposed the revision of two frameworks to enhance consumer rights by making sure that dangerous products are recalled from the market or that credit offers are presented to consumers in a clear way, easily readable on digital devices.

The proposal updates the General Product Safety Directive and the Consumer Credit Directive.

The General Product Safety Directive will:

• Tackle risks related to cybersecurity and online shopping by introducing safety rules for online marketplaces to avoid leaving consumers with dangerous products in their hands.

• Ensure that all products reaching the EU market - it is from online marketplaces, it is from ordinary shops - are safe, whether they are produced within the EU or from outside.

 The EU rules on consumer credit will focus instead on:

• Providing information related to credits in a clear way, adapted to the digital devices so that consumers understand what they are signing up for.

• Improving rules with which creditworthiness is assessed to avoid the issue of over-indebtedness.

• Promoting financial education among citizens and ensuring debt information is made available to consumers.

Next steps

The Commission's proposals will now be discussed by Council and Parliament. Both proposals are part of the New Consumer Agenda, launched last year, aiming to update the overall strategic framework of the EU consumer policy.

For more information:

Giorgia Miccoli,

Project Manager

UPCOMING EVENTS