25-02-2026 10:15
Revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation
This hearing covered the upcoming revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, which governs how EU countries work together to enforce consumer protection rules. Academic experts, representatives from consumer and business organisations, national authorities and the Commission discussed challenges and possible improvements. The hearing aimed to assess whether existing cooperation tools remain effective in addressing cross-border consumer issues and the evolving digital economy.
Experts discussed challenges faced by national authorities when enforcing consumer protection rules across borders. They noted that coordinated investigations are often lengthy and lack a strong deterrent effect. Limited enforcement tools, uneven application of rules between countries and difficulties in addressing traders based outside the European Union remain key problems. Participants also highlighted shortages of staff, funding and digital tools.
The discussion then turned to possible improvements, including a stronger coordinating role for the European Commission, faster procedures and more effective sanctions. Experts also emphasised the potential use of artificial intelligence to support enforcement work.
Members agreed that the current framework requires modernisation to respond to cross-border violations and online market developments, calling for stronger enforcement, clearer responsibilities and increased support for national authorities.
- WATCH the Public Hearing from 09:18
- Programme (PDF - 88 KB)
- Poster (PDF - 1 MB)
- The Commission report on the application of the CPC Regulation
- Briefing: Current developments in consumer protection policy: Review of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation
- Briefing: Problems presented by third-country e-commerce
- Briefing: Product safety and regulatory compliance in e commerce and non-EU imports
- Presentation: Ilya Bruggeman, Director, Digital Single Market and Consumer Policy, EuroCommerce (DOCUMENT - 11 MB)
- Presentation: Karen Ghysels, Director, European Consumer Centre Belgium (DOCUMENT - 2 MB)
- Presentation: Alexandre Biard, Manager in Enforcement, Competition and Consumer rights, BEUC (DOCUMENT - 1 MB)
- Presentation: Isabelle Pérignon, Director, European Commission (DG JUST.B - Consumers) (DOCUMENT - 421 KB)
- Presentation: Janneke Toussaint, Acting Director, Consumer Division, Authority for Consumers and Markets, the Netherlands (DOCUMENT - 168 KB)
- Presentation: Christine Riefa, Research Division Lead, School of Law, University of Reading (DOCUMENT - 3 MB)
- Presentation: Věra Knoblochová, Head of Consumer Legislation Unit, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (DOCUMENT - 8 MB)