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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple's upgraded, AI-powered Siri may not launch in the European Union until months after it becomes available elsewhere, with reports indicating a delayed rollout for EU users. The delay is likely tied to regulatory conditions in the bloc, and it has reignited debate about whether EU digital rules are slowing access to new AI features for European consumers.

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.

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 Canadian auto workers union Unifor has issued a strike vote against Stellantis as contract negotiations between the two sides reach a standoff. The move signals members may be prepared to walk off the job if a deal cannot be reached. It adds pressure in a year of tense auto labor negotiations across North America.

The International Gas Union is highlighting gas, LNG and strategic cooperation as tools to strengthen energy security, particularly in Europe amid ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on single suppliers. The message stresses partnership between producer and consumer countries to keep supplies stable and affordable.

The European Commission's Energy Union Task Force has convened to coordinate how EU member states secure diesel supplies and manage prices. The meeting focuses on aligning national approaches to diesel procurement and market monitoring across Europe. Diesel remains a critical fuel for transport and industry in the EU, making coordinated policy on availability and cost a priority for governments.

The UK is reportedly drawing up plans to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, aligning itself with measures already adopted by the European Union. Brussels imposed duties of up to around 45% on Chinese EVs in 2024, arguing that subsidies give Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage. Discussions in London are said to focus on protecting British carmakers as Chinese brands expand into the UK market. The move would mark a shift in trade policy and is drawing attention from manufacturers and consumers alike.

Apple's AI-powered version of Siri may face a delayed launch in the European Union, with reports suggesting it might not arrive until spring 2027. The rollout in the EU could lag months behind other regions, likely tied to regulatory requirements under EU rules affecting AI and digital services.

Electric vehicle sales across the European Union have reached a record high, driven in large part by sharply rising fuel prices. As petrol and diesel costs climb, more drivers are switching to electric alternatives, strengthening the EU's shift away from combustion engines. Analysts note the trend could accelerate pressure on automakers to expand EV production and charging infrastructure across the bloc.

The European Union is preparing to lift its suspension on poultry imports from Brazil, according to industry reporting. The move would reopen a major market for Brazilian exporters following a ban triggered by disease concerns. Trade sources say the decision would restore one of Brazil's most valuable agricultural export channels to Europe.

The European Union is preparing a cap on imports of Chinese hybrid cars, according to Bloomberg, in a move intended to shield the European automotive industry from growing competition. The reported plan would limit the volume of hybrid vehicles entering the EU market, extending Brussels' existing trade defences alongside tariffs already imposed on Chinese electric cars.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is examining how data centers affect public health, pointing to the pollution generated by the electricity they consume. As data center construction accelerates to serve artificial intelligence and cloud computing, researchers warn that power plants supplying them emit pollutants linked to asthma, heart disease and premature deaths, often concentrated in communities near power infrastructure.

North Sea oil workers are set to strike, and warnings suggest the action could severely disrupt fuel supplies across the UK. The dispute threatens operations at offshore installations that supply a significant share of Britain's oil and gas. Industry and union representatives are at odds over pay and conditions, and officials are watching for knock-on effects on fuel availability for consumers.

A European Union analysis has found that used electric vehicles are retaining their value better than expected. The report suggests this stronger resale value may be contributing to higher lease payments for EV drivers. The finding runs counter to earlier assumptions that EVs depreciate quickly, and it has drawn attention from industry watchers and consumers weighing whether to buy or lease an electric car.

Eurostat figures show the volume of retail trade rose by 0.1% in both the euro area and the wider European Union, according to the EU statistics office. The marginal increase suggests consumer spending remained broadly flat, and analysts are weighing whether it signals resilience or stagnation in household demand across member states.

A new Eurobarometer survey shows that people across the European Union are highly aware of cybersecurity threats, but their everyday online practices do not match that awareness. The findings highlight a gap between knowing about risks such as phishing or weak passwords and actually taking protective steps, prompting calls in Brussels for better practical guidance and consumer education on digital safety.

Chinese e-commerce group JD.com is expected to receive European Union antitrust clearance for its acquisition of German consumer electronics retailer Ceconomy, according to a source. The deal would mark a significant expansion of JD.com's footprint in the European retail market, and the pending approval is drawing attention from retail and trade watchers.

The European Commission has formally designated ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under the Digital Services Act, the EU's rules governing online platforms. The move places new obligations on the services, likely around content moderation, transparency and user protection. It marks a notable expansion of the DSA's reach to cover AI chatbots alongside social and gaming platforms operating in the European Union.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The UK is reportedly considering tariffs of up to 45% on electric vehicles imported from China, following similar moves by the European Union and the United States. The proposed levies would target Chinese-made EVs amid complaints of state-subsidised competition undercutting Western carmakers. The debate touches on trade policy, the affordability of electric cars for British consumers, and the future of the UK automotive industry.

The UK is reported to be considering raising tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles amid pressure from the European Union, which has already moved to impose duties on Chinese EV imports. A UK decision would affect trade with China and the affordability of electric cars for British consumers. Debate centres on balancing industrial policy, EV adoption targets and relations with Beijing and Brussels.