Information for Journalists
The European Consumer Centres Network issues regular press releases and updates on consumer rights in Europe. The network offers a unique overview of and reliable information about consumer affairs in the Internal Market which can be used for policymaking in collaboration with European and national stakeholders.
Free help and advice for consumers in Europe
Our network, which consists of 29 European Consumer Centres (ECCs), empowers consumers to know their rights and take full advantage of the opportunities the Single Market offers by:
- Assisting consumers in solving cross-border problems
- Providing consumers with legal advice — free of charge
Facts and numbers
Are you interested in learning more about the European Consumer Centres Network? View our corporate fact sheet below.
Press releases
The European Consumer Centres Network issues regular press releases and updates on consumer rights in Europe. On this page, you can find our most recent press releases on various topics related to consumer rights.
European Elections: The European Consumer Centres Network Sets its Sights on 2024-2029
Flight to Greece cancelled? Issues with a parcel delivery after purchasing an item in Belgium? The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) offers free assistance for all claims lodged against a trader located in another EU Member State, Iceland or Norway. There is an ECC in each of these countries. Together, these 29 centres have handled more than 124 000 requests in 2023 alone, and recovered nearly 9 million euros for consumers involved in a cross-border complaint.
World Consumer Rights Day: 5 Tips for Online Payments
On 15 March we celebrate World Consumer Rights Day. For the occasion, the European Consumer Centres Network shares five smart tips for the next time you buy online.
World Tourism Day: Beware of (hidden) additional holiday costs
27 September 2022 - Soaring costs of living mean many will have to limit their travel budget this year. It is therefore all the more annoying when (hidden) extra charges pop up during a well-deserved vacation. For World Tourism Day, the European Consumer Centres Network gives consumers advice on how to detect and avoid such extra costs.
Consumer rights: How much do you know? ECC-Net provides free teaching materials
6 June 2022 - The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) sees an alarming increase of young children and teenagers getting involved in digital consumer rights struggles. Whether through dubious offers in online sweepstakes, online games or social media: young internet users spend money without meaning to or share personal data that could potentially be abused. With parents seeking legal assistance at local European Consumer Centres, ECC-Net now launches a set of free teaching materials to help teach children and teenagers about online risks. View press release below.
The European Consumer Centres Network launches information hub for European consumers at eccnet.eu
From 16 December 2021, European consumers can find all the answers to their questions about consumer rights and entitlements on the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net)’s brand new website, eccnet.eu.
VAT will be payable from the 1st euro: consequences for your purchases in a marketplace or via dropshipping
30 June 2021 - To combat tax fraud, facilitate online sales between EU member states, and increase fairness between European and non-European sellers, VAT rules in cross-border e-commerce will change on 1 July 2021.
View press release below
Europe Day: ECC-Net recovers more than 4 million euros for consumers during COVID-19
7 May 2021 - Since March 2020, consumers have turned to the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) for help with cross-border problems even more than before.
Since the start of the pandemic, the network has recovered a total of over 4 million euros for consumers whose flights were cancelled, who had booked hotels that closed, or who suffered another COVID-19 related breach of their rights — for example, an online purchase that went wrong due to the pandemic.
View press release below.
Online dating websites & apps: When the search for love turns out to be more expensive than expected
11 February 2021 - With lockdowns all over Europe, more and more people have turned to dating websites or apps like Tinder and Parship. We provide tips for online daters that help them avoid cost traps.
View press release below.
Contact details
Are you planning to write an article about consumer rights in Europe? Do you have a question about our most recent press releases or would you like to make a request? Please contact the European Consumer Centre (ECC) in your country of residence.
Want more information?
There is a European Consumer Centre in each EU country as well as in Iceland and Norway. These 29 centres are members of the ECC-Net, which informs consumers in Europe about their rights and provides free help with cross-border issues. The centres are co-financed by the European Commission.