The opinion examines the 2030 Consumer Agenda, a new five-year strategy for EU consumer policy. The Agenda addresses four key priority areas: a) an action plan for consumers in the single market; b) digital fairness and consumer protection online; c) sustainable consumption; d) effective enforcement and redress.
On 5 February 2025, the European Commission released its Communication on a “Comprehensive Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-Commerce.” The EESC opinion will build on this proposal to develop concrete measures that ensure fair competition with third-country online platforms.
EESC Call for fair competition with regard to third country platforms
The upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU requested this exploratory opinion given that at present, consumers are experiencing dynamic changes due to the development of digital technologies and the green transition. In order to ensure a high level of consumer protection, it is necessary to respond adequately to changes in the consumer environment and to take action in response to current long-term challenges.
The exploratory opinion at the request of the Spanish Presidency will look into advertising through influencers and its impact on consumers. Influencers as content creators with large numbers of followers on social networks have a crucial impact on consumer behaviour and, inter alia, on consumer decisions.
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Download — Parecer do CESE: Advertising through influencers and its impact on consumers
The landscape of digital services is significantly different today from 20 years ago, when the eCommerce Directive was adopted. Online intermediaries have become vital players in the digital transformation. Online platforms in particular have created significant benefits for consumers and innovation, but at the same time, they can be used as a vehicle for disseminating illegal content, or selling illegal goods or services online.
The Digital Markets Act addresses the negative consequences arising from certain behaviours by platforms acting as digital “gatekeepers” to the single market.
