Artificial intelligence, dangerous chemicals, medicines, labelling, planned obsolescence: these are the topics that European consumers want to see on the agenda of the next European Parliament.
Ahead of the 2019 European elections, the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) presented its priorities for the election campaign. On Wednesday 28 November in Brussels, representatives of associations from different EU Member States took turns to present their key action points.
Artificial intelligence for consumers: European consumers expect the European Parliament to develop safe and non-discriminatory legislation that protects personal data and consumer rights (see EUROPE 12142).
No exposure to dangerous chemicals: BEUC is calling for new legislation on dangerous chemicals by 2024, similar to the legislation on toys and cosmetics, which protects children in particular (see EUROPE 12132, 12074). The committee on the authorisation of pesticides is expected to adopt its report on Thursday 6 December.
Accessible medicines: BEUC asks MEPs to make a commitment to guarantee the availability of medicines for European patients, to which public funding should also be conditioned.
Healthy food labelling: Beverages and food products sold in the EU should be packaged with colour-coded labels which correspond to the nutritional value, so consumers can easily make healthier purchases.
Making consumer products more sustainable: BEUC is calling for MEPs to demand, within the next five years, more sustainable products, i.e. products with longer lifespans, which can be repaired, improved and updated.
The event opened with an introduction by Sophie in 't Veld (ALDE, Netherlands), who noted that, despite the challenges, the Union was going through "a time of great opportunity", stressing that it had demonstrated its strength and unity. "We have every reason to be confident in ourselves", added the Dutch MEP, sweeping aside the risks posed by Eurosceptic political groups in Parliament and welcoming the opportunity for a wider democratic debate. She also called for an internal market promoting "social justice" for European consumers. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)