#ConsumerProtection: How Parliament safeguards your rights

More than one quarter of Europeans (27%) think that consumer and public health protection must be a priority for the European Union. People cited it as one of the top six priorities for EU policy, according to a 2016 Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the Parliament. Especially people in Cyprus, Greece and Spain consider it a priority. Find out more about what people think about consumer protection and how the European Parliament is helping to protect your rights.

Protecting consumers' rights

From 15 June 2017 Europeans no longer have to pay roaming costs when they visit another EU country. They can now use their mobile phone for the same prices as at home. This is something MEPs have fought years for.

That is not all. From  2018 on travellers will also be able to use their online subscription in other EU countries, thanks to the new portability regulation.

A consumer rights directive entered into force in June 2013 after being approved by MEPs, giving consumers 14 days to cancel online orders. The same directive eliminates pre-ticked boxes for additional services that could lead consumers to pay for a service they do not want or need.

Safeguarding health and safety

In 2015 MEPs adopted a resolution on safer healthcare in Europe to tackle the rise in deadly antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Scandals such as the horsemeat one of 2013 shook consumers’ trust in the European food industry and MEPs have called on the European Commission to introduce a mandatory indication of food origin - especially meat - in processed food.

Preparing for the future

Two thirds of Europeans (67%) believe that digital technologies will positively affect their lives, according to a survey commissioned by the Commission. However, most internet users also worry about the data collected about them online. Especially people in Italy (81%), France (80%), Ireland (78%) and Spain (78%) are worried about this.

Parliament's consumer protection committee is currently working on new e-privacy rules to improve protection on the internet.

The bigger picture

The Consumer Programme 2014-2020 supports consumers’ rights in the EU. It has a budget of €189 million and focuses on sustainable consumption and the protection of vulnerable consumers.