EU consumer law in 2023

Abstract

2023 was an eventful year in European consumer law, marked by important legislative developments and case law. Much-needed legislative developments and proposals came about, such as the final approval of the General Product Safety Regulation, which modernizes safety standards for non-food consumer products and enhances the powers of market surveillance authorities. The new Directive on Credit Agreements for Consumers was also approved in 2023. Simultaneously, the European Commission pushed forward with initiatives to promote sustainable consumption, including a proposal to increase the reparability of consumer goods. Digital consumer rights were also significantly strengthened with the entry into force of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), which provide a framework for safer and more transparent online environments. Legislative initiatives in the digital economy have been coupled with voluntary pledges to improve the protection of consumers in online marketplaces. The Directive on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has also been set in line for a critical revision. The review process also included discontinuing the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform for consumer-related disputes due to its low usage.