Consumer law in Europe
Understanding consumer protection law in the European Union including providing information, safety and product labelling and packaging regulations.
People who live in the European Union (EU) automatically have consumer rights that protect them when they buy goods and services from other member states.
If you are setting up - or expanding - your business in the EU, you should be aware of these rights, so that you can make sure the goods you sell are safe and legal. This guide gives details of consumers' economic and legal interests in the EU and highlights those that you need to be particularly aware of.
Providing consumer information in the EU
How to find and provide product information to your customers while complying with European Union regulations that aim to protect consumers from being mislead
When you run a business in the European Union (EU), you must provide potential customers with information about your products.
There are that govern:
- what product information you should make available
- the sort of language you should use
- what information should be provided on food labelling
There are also rules on false - or misleading - advertising of products. As a business owner, you need to understand these rules, so that you can make sure you comply with them.
Different European Economic Area (EEA) countries may have national laws on consumer information which you also need to know. For example, in France if the price tag on an item is incorrect, the customer has a legal right to buy the item for that price. In other countries - such as Portugal - this is not the case.
If your business is based in the UK and you want to set up in another EEA country, you should contact your local Chamber of Commerce for detailed information.
Businesses in the UK can get 91香蕉黄色视频 from (which operates as EU countries).
Consumer safety in the EU
Rules and regulations in the European Union to ensure products are not dangerous to consumers, for instance cosmetics, foodstuffs, toys and explosives.
The European Union (EU) has to ensure all products meet high standards and do not put consumers at risk. Producers and suppliers of goods must not break these rules.
There are general rules in place which relate to all products. However, there are more specific rules for:
- Genetically modified substances - they must be clearly labelled so that consumers can make an informed decision about whether to buy them or not.
- Cosmetics - there are strict rules in place about the testing of cosmetics.
- Foodstuffs - there are many rules in place about the production of foodstuffs, such as the need to check all ingredients throughout the food production chain.
- Toys - it is vital that all toys are sufficiently tested to ensure they are safe for the age of child they are produced for. Toys that meet EU standards can show the CE conformity marking.
- Explosives and pyrotechnics - it is an offence to supply unsafe fireworks, to sell fireworks to a person under 18, or sell fireworks all year round without the correct licence. You must also be licensed to store fireworks.
Some European Economic Area (EEA) countries may have their own additional national laws on consumer safety which you should also be aware of.
If you are a UK business looking to set up in another EEA country, you should contact your local Chamber of Commerce for detailed information.
You can also get help from (which operates as EU countries).
Protecting consumers' economic and legal interests in the EU
Consumer rights protection in the European Union for transactions involving holidays, credit, toys, chemicals, financial services, energy and online purchases.
European Union (EU) countries have their own rules on consumer rights which businesses must comply with. The EU also offers guidance to consumers to protect them when they are buying items from other member states.
The EU sets out both general rights and specific rights for:
- Holidays - standards throughout the EU have been synchronised and those buying such services in a different EU member state have the same security as at home.
- Credit - people across the EU have the same consumer credit rights. This includes interest rates and the amount providers can charge for credit.
- Toys - all toys must be tested to ensure they are safe for the age of child they are aimed at. Toys that meet the standards laid down by the EU should display the CE conformity marking.
- Energy - EU citizens have the right to choose their gas and electricity suppliers.
There are also EU rules relating to chemical use, financial services, and consumer rights when shopping online.
Different EU countries may have national laws on consumer rights which you should check. You can get help in any EU country using the - a group of business advice organisations across the EU.
Product labelling and packaging in the EU
EU rules and regulations relating to product labelling and packaging including product origin and production, genetic modification, food, nutrition and plastics.
There are strict rules and regulations about how products are labelled and packaged. These set standards about the information printed on the packaging, and the materials that the packaging can be made from.
The European Commission has general rules about labelling and packaging, as well as specific rules about:
- product origin and production
- genetically modified organisms
- foodstuffs and nutrition
- plastic, ceramics and cellulose packaging
Manufacturers must ensure that consumers have all possible information about a product. Detailed information must be provided about a product's composition. Labelling and packaging for any food product must give full details of:
- the product's ingredients and quantities
- storage conditions
- a use-by date
- details of any ingredients that may cause allergic reactions, including nuts and dairy
Sellers must also provide both selling price and unit price, so that potential buyers can easily compare products. The prices must be displayed clearly.
Different EU countries may have national laws on labelling and packaging which you should also be aware of. You can get help in any EU country using the - a group of business advice organisations across the EU.