Consumer protection: Council calls for stronger safeguards, sustainable consumption, enhanced enforcement and simplification 15:50 Council approves conclusions on the 2030[...]

The Council has approved conclusions that provide guidance to the Commission for the implementation of the five-year 2030 consumer agenda. The conclusions call for the strengthening of consumer protection (in particular online), the promotion of sustainable consumption, better enforcement, and stronger cooperation between all the relevant actors.

Stronger consumer protection

In the conclusions approved today, the Council, taking into account, among others, the impact of the current geopolitical and technological developments, emphasises the need to address emerging challenges, such as, 'dark patterns' (practices that distort a user's ability to make autonomous, informed decisions), and the risks associated with online products, particularly for vulnerable consumers, especially minors. It also calls for enhanced consumer protection measures and better enforcement of current consumer protection legislation alongside the EU digital rulebook.

Supporting sustainable consumption

The importance of fostering sustainable consumption is highlighted in the conclusions, particularly in relation to sustainable, affordable and trusted circular offers, including second-hand, repaired, refurbished and remanufactured goods. The Council recalls that misleading environmental claims are considered unfair commercial practices and stresses the need to combat such practices to ensure that consumers are enabled to take informed decisions when they choose sustainable options in line with the EU's green transition goals.

Better enforcement and member state cooperation

The Council underscores the need for more effective enforcement of consumer legislation, particularly in relation to widespread infringements within the EU and e-commerce. This includes strengthening coordination between the Commission and national authorities, considering the use of AI for market surveillance, and expanding international cooperation to ensure that products available to consumers are safe and compliant, especially those coming from third countries.

Simplification

The conclusions recall that new initiatives must seek the overarching objective of simplification and administrative burden reduction, in particularly for SMEs, while at the same time maintaining a high level of consumer protection.

Background

The Council conclusions on the 2030 consumer agenda are a priority of the Cyprus Presidency. The European Commission adopted the agenda on 19 November 2025. It sets the strategic framework for EU consumer policy for the next five years, building on the 2020-2025 agenda, and addresses new challenges. It focuses on four key areas:

1. Completing the single market by addressing barriers preventing consumers from fully leveraging the benefit of the single market.
2. Digital fairness and consumer protection online to strengthen the protection of consumers, especially minors, in the digital environment.
3. Sustainable consumption to ensure consumers have access to sustainable products and services and better protect them against greenwashing.
4. Effective enforcement to protect consumers from market players who do not respect the rules and shield compliant businesses from unfair competition.

• Council conclusions on the 2030 Consumer Agenda
• 2030 Consumer Agenda and action plan for consumers in the single market - A new impulse for consumer protection, competitiveness and sustainable growth
• European Council conclusions (23 October 2025)
• Council conclusions on the New Consumer Agenda, 22 February 2021