Search

There has been a significant surge in the number of virtual private networks (VPNs) used to bypass online age verification methods in countries where these have been put in place by law. Protection of children online is high on the political agenda, and new legislative frameworks are being implemented that require a minimum age to access certain online products and services. The European Union's Digital Services Act has introduced recommended guidelines for age assurance, which apply to online intermediaries ...

EU measures for consumer protection are intended to protect the health, safety, and economic and legal interests of all consumers in the EU, wherever they live, travel or shop. EU provisions regulate both physical transactions and e-commerce, and contain rules of general applicability together with provisions targeting specific products, including medicines, genetically modified organisms, tobacco products, cosmetics, toys and explosives for civilian use.

Effective consumer protection policy ensures that the single market functions properly. It safeguards consumers’ rights against traders and provides extra protection for vulnerable consumers. Consumer protection rules can boost market outcomes overall. They promote fairer markets and, with better consumer information, foster greener, more social outcomes. Empowering consumers and safeguarding their interests are key EU policy goals.

On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also ...

EU chemicals and pesticides legislation focuses on protecting human health and the environment, while facilitating trade. It includes rules on chemical product marketing, restrictions on hazardous substances, and protocols for accidents and exports. Key achievements include the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) and REACH Regulations. The ongoing revision process aligns the legislation with the European Green Deal, particularly its sustainability and biodiversity strategies. In 2025, newly ...

Nearly all forms of serious and organised crime have a digital footprint and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted fraud is a growing threat. Thanks to generative AI, fraudsters can replicate voices and create deepfake video calls and synthetic identities. Deepfake voice scams are escalating rapidly, posing a serious threat to both individuals and businesses, as well as legislative frameworks worldwide. Protecting against these threats requires a multi-layered approach using proactive and reactive ...

The study examines restrictions affecting cross-border trade in services within the EU. It draws on quantitative data to show that intra-EU services trade is far more liberal than extra-EU trade, although the pace of reform has slowed in recent years. The analysis identifies remaining barriers as being associated with regulations that apply to both domestic and foreign service providers, and highlights significant variation across Member States, which creates scope for increasing competitiveness ...

As the global race to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, the European Union has set the objective of becoming a leading AI continent. The adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Act in 2024 was a milestone in establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI in the EU, but regulation alone cannot make the EU a technological leader. In April 2025, the European Commission published an AI continent action plan, a communication that attempts to look beyond rules and ...

On 25 June 2025, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the European Union (EU) ('the EU space act'). A majority of Member States have already adopted or are considering adopting legislation on space activities. The regulation's relevance was highlighted by Mario Draghi's report on the future of European competitiveness, which explained the role of space systems and services in supporting the EU's sovereignty and economy ...