Consumers Union

The European Union is urging the United Kingdom to raise its tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, according to a report. Brussels has already imposed duties of its own on Chinese EVs, citing state subsidies, and now wants London to align its trade policy. The pressure risks straining EU-UK relations and could affect British consumers' access to cheaper Chinese-built electric cars.

New European Union rules took effect Sunday aimed at curbing unverified green claims by companies. The measures target vague or unsupported environmental marketing statements, requiring businesses to substantiate eco-friendly assertions made to consumers. The move is part of a broader EU effort against greenwashing, and companies operating in the bloc will now need verifiable evidence for sustainability claims.

The European Union has updated its anti-greenwashing law, tightening rules on how companies make environmental claims about their products. The measures aim to stop vague or unverified sustainability labels, such as generic terms like 'eco-friendly' or 'climate neutral', unless backed by evidence. Businesses operating in the EU market will need to review their marketing, and consumer groups have broadly welcomed the stricter standards.

The European Union plans to introduce a €2 handling fee on small parcels imported from outside the bloc. The charge would apply to online orders shipped into the EU, adding a new cost to cross-border e-commerce purchases. The move is expected to affect shoppers buying from non-EU retailers and could draw criticism over added consumer costs.

The European Union's new rules banning greenwashing come into force on Sunday. The measures restrict companies from making unverified environmental claims about their products, such as vague labels like 'eco-friendly' or 'climate neutral' without proof. The change is aimed at giving consumers reliable information and holding businesses accountable for misleading sustainability marketing across the bloc.

Rising diesel and fuel prices are creating political trouble for US President Donald Trump, with the Tagesspiegel reporting that Washington is urging the European Union to release its diesel reserves. The apparent transatlantic push to ease fuel supply comes as drivers face climbing prices at the pump, and the topic is drawing wide attention in Germany amid ongoing debate over energy costs.

Eurostat data show domestic producer prices in the European Union rose 1.4% in July 2026. The increase points to continued cost pressures at factory and wholesale level, a key early indicator for consumer inflation across the bloc. Economists and policymakers will be watching whether the rise feeds through to retail prices or reflects temporary energy and input cost movements.

The European Union's updated product liability framework is widening its scope so claims no longer hinge solely on physical damage. Under the new rules, compensation can cover data loss, psychological harm and damage from software and AI-enabled products. Commentators say the shift significantly raises exposure for manufacturers and tech firms selling into the EU market.

Sellers across the European Union will have to display guarantee notices both in physical shops and online within a seven-day deadline, under new EU requirements. The rule obliges retailers to inform consumers clearly about their legal warranty rights at the point of sale, whether in-store or on e-commerce platforms. Consumer groups are expected to welcome the move, while sellers face quick compliance work.

A new retrospective outlines six ways the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union reshaped daily American life, pointing to technologies and innovations that moved from space programs into ordinary households. The piece revisits how the drive to reach space influenced consumer products, education, and industry beyond the famous milestones of the 1950s and 1960s.

The European Commission's Energy Union Task Force has met to coordinate how EU countries secure diesel supplies and manage prices across Europe. The discussions focus on keeping fuel markets stable and ensuring member states align their approaches to diesel sourcing, at a time when supply and cost concerns remain high on the EU energy agenda.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is set to receive European Union approval for its acquisition of German consumer electronics retailer Ceconomy, according to a source cited by Reuters. The clearance would mark a significant step in JD.com's expansion into the European retail market, giving it control of the operator of MediaMarkt and Saturn stores across the region.

Savers can find several certificates of deposit paying a 4.40% APY as of Friday, October 2, 2026. Financial outlets are highlighting that multiple banks and credit unions still offer competitive returns well above typical savings accounts, giving depositors a chance to lock in high rates before any further cuts by the Federal Reserve.

The European Union is moving to tighten its enforcement against environmental claims, targeting how companies market products as green or sustainable. The crackdown signals stricter scrutiny of corporate greenwashing, with businesses expected to substantiate any environmental assertions they make to consumers. The move has drawn attention from companies and legal observers across the EU assessing what the tougher stance means for advertising and compliance practices.

An Illinois court has ruled that the Illinois Interest Act's preemption applies to federal credit unions, extending earlier preemption reasoning under the IFPA to those institutions. The decision clarifies that state law limits on interest and fees do not apply to federally chartered credit unions operating in Illinois, a point of significance for lenders and consumer finance compliance in the state.

The European Union is taking aim at hidden costs and unclear pricing practices in video games. The action targets how games advertise prices while additional charges for in-game purchases, subscriptions, or downloadable content may not be clearly disclosed to players. Consumer advocates have long criticised the industry for opaque monetisation, and the EU move signals growing regulatory scrutiny of gaming business models.

The European Union has launched an investigation into nine video game companies over their use of virtual currencies and in-game purchases. Regulators are examining whether premium currency systems obscure real costs and exploit consumers, particularly minors. The move adds to growing global scrutiny of monetization practices in gaming, and industry watchers are awaiting the names of the companies and potential consequences.

The European Union is tightening rules against companies that make vague 'environmentally friendly' claims and products designed to fail early. Under the crackdown, businesses will need solid evidence for green marketing statements, while practices like planned obsolescence face restrictions. Supporters say the measures aim to protect consumers from misleading eco-labels and reduce waste by forcing longer-lasting products.

The US government has reportedly asked the European Union to urgently release diesel fuel from its strategic reserves, warning that it could otherwise impose an export ban. The claim circulated in Japanese-language breaking news posts and is drawing attention because of what it would mean for transatlantic energy supplies, with diesel markets already tight and consumers exposed to price swings.

Consumer protection authorities across the European Union have launched a coordinated action targeting video game companies. The move signals renewed regulatory scrutiny of the gaming industry's consumer practices, though details on which companies are involved and what specific practices are being investigated were not immediately disclosed.

Anna Cavazzini, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, has called for closer regulatory alignment between South Korea and the European Union. In an interview, the EU lawmaker argued that harmonised standards and rules would deepen economic and trade cooperation between the two partners, a message aimed at Korean policymakers and businesses ahead of continued bilateral discussions.

The European Union has moved to relax certain rules in an effort to curb surging energy prices across member states. The measures follow sustained pressure on households and industry from elevated electricity and gas costs. Details of which regulations are being eased and how quickly relief will reach consumers remain unclear, and the move is expected to draw debate among member governments over market rules and energy policy.

The European Union is pressing the United Kingdom to align with its 45 percent tariff on electric vehicles built in China. The EU imposed the duties citing subsidies it says give Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage, and it wants the UK to adopt a similar approach. The debate touches on trade relations, EV prices for British consumers, and post-Brexit trade policy independence.