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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 15h

🎮Nine video game companies are under investigation for unfair practices flagged by BEUC, like hidden in-game currency costs & unfair terms. "No one should need a calculator to know what they're spending," says our DG Agustín Reyna. www.beuc.eu/game-over

beuc.eu

Game OVER | BEUC

BEUC and 22 member organisation from 17 countries denounced leading video game companies’ unfair practices to the European Commission and the EU network of Consumer Authorities (CPC-Network).

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 20h

Bringing energy bills down is a top priority for consumers. With energy prices rising and further hikes on the horizon, ensuring affordability is key. So what can be done? In this blog from earlier this year (which is still just as topical), @arcapde.bsky.social proposes some solutions 👇

blog.beuc.eu

Energy affordability affects us all: here's what the EU can do

Bringing down energy prices is a top priority for Europeans following the gas crisis and recent uncertainty in the Middle East.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 28/09/2026

📢 Happening this Wednesday: Are we underestimating the economic value of privacy? Join us tomorrow for the presentation of our new report: The economic costs of weakening privacy and data protection. ⏱️ Haven't registered yet? You can still do so until end of today on our website ⤵️

beuc.eu

Are we underestimating the economic value of privacy?

30 September 2026 > As Europe looks to boost innovation and competitiveness, what role does privacy play in building consumer trust and economic growth? Join us on 30 September for a presentation of…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 25/09/2026

Not only are EVs becoming cheaper to buy, they are also cheaper to run, especially with rising fossil fuel prices ⛽ New analysis from @carbonbrief.org shows EVs are now nine times cheaper to drive than petrol/diesel in the UK 👇

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 24/09/2026

The market share of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) averaged 10% so far this year. PHEVs are often marketed as an affordable solution but remain financially out of reach for most, especially on 2nd-hand markets (where most consumers buy cars) according to our recent study 👇 www.beuc.eu/reports/plug...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 24/09/2026

In August 2026, new EVs were almost 1/3 of all newly registered vehicles. EVs now have a market share of 27% and 30% in 🇩🇪 and 🇫🇷 respectively so far this year. For consumers that need a car, electric offers an increasingly affordable (and popular) choice.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 24/09/2026

💸 Organisations that don't comply with the GDPR are estimated to cost EU consumers around €103bn per year through data breaches! Want to know more? Come join us 30/09 for a presentation on the economic impact of the GDPR. ✒️ Sign up now before registration closes ⤵️

beuc.eu

Are we underestimating the economic value of privacy?

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 22/09/2026

Imagine a classroom where students learn not just equations but how to navigate consumption: shop safely, spot unfair practices, & more. That’s Consumer (Re)generation, a project by Cittadinanzattiva APS. Explore similar initiatives on the Consumer Education Hub & see consumer education in action.

consumer-education.eu

Initiative - Consumer Education Hub

Our goal is to provide inspiration to all those who are developing consumer education initiatives which help people understand and navigate markets safely.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 21/09/2026

🌐 Geo-location data is one of the most sensitive personal data as it reveals all kinds of information about us, such as our religious beliefs, our health condition, our political opinions or our sexual orientation. 🔗 Read our full reaction: www.beuc.eu/press-releas...

beuc.eu

Google fined for invasive location tracking after BEUC complaint

The Irish Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million for its location-tracking activities and ordered the company to comply with the EU's GDPR within 6 months. This is an important decis...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 21/09/2026

🎊 An historic day has come! The Irish Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million for its location-tracking activities, eight years after a series of complaints consumer organisations from the BEUC network issued against Google.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 18/09/2026

The main barrier to a circular economy is markets that make buying new easier and cheaper than repairing, sharing or buying second-hand, finds a report by our member Forbrukerrådet. Circular choices need to be the easiest ones. Read the conditions to get there 👇 www.forbrukerradet.no/shortlife/

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 17/09/2026

"Age verification alone won't protect kids online, & raises its own concerns", says BEUC DG Agustín Reyna on the EU KIDS Act. Many unfair practices kids face online affect everyone else. That's why we need an ambitious Digital Fairness Act for all consumers. www.beuc.eu/position-pap...

beuc.eu

Towards the Digital Fairness Act

Currently, EU law insufficiently addresses unfair commercial practices in the digital realm. This means that policymakers should urgently update EU consumer law. BEUC believes the upcoming Digital Fai...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 17/09/2026

The EU has adopted a customs reform that will help stop unsafe products sold online from reaching European consumers. Every day, millions of parcels arrive from outside the EU; many containing toys, clothes or electronics that fail to meet EU safety standards. www.beuc.eu/success-stor...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 15/09/2026

For many people the new €3 customs duty looks like one more cost added to everyday purchases at a time when household budgets remain under pressure. But this debate cannot stop at the visible price of a parcel. Read more from our Director General @arcapde.bsky.social ⤵️

linkedin.com

The €3 duty is visible. The real cost of ultra-cheap shopping is not.

The reaction to the new €3 customs duty on low-value parcels is understandable. For many people, it looks like one more cost added to everyday purchases at a time when household budgets remain under p...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 15/09/2026

This is part of a wider European-level complaint that BEUC together with 12 members in 11 countries filed this year against ENGIE, EniPlenitude, Shell, and TotalEnergies for misleading green claims. Read more 👇

beuc.eu

Switching off greenwashing | BEUC

Consumer groups filed a greenwashing complaint against ENGIE, EniPlenitude, Shell, and TotalEnergies.

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Reposted by BEUC - The Consumer Voice

Laurens Rutten @vanechttotergens.eurosky.social · 15/09/2026

"Upfront cost", an oft-cited problem for the energy transition. Rightfully so, people struggle to access financial support. My colleagues compiled ideas for change. Like avoiding the time gap between advance payment and when a subsidy is received, by paying the subsidy directly to the installer.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 15/09/2026

This is not about making shopping harder. It is about making it safer, fairer and more honest. But, consumers should not foot the bill for better controls. And they should not be left to absorb the risks of a system that has made it too easy to dodge responsibility. Read more ⤵️

blog.beuc.eu

Why the EU must end de minimis exemption

The EU is ending the de minimis exemption on low-value parcels up to €150 and introducing a customs duty. Good news for product safety!

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 15/09/2026

A bargain should not come with a blind spot. When millions of parcels arrive every day through e-commerce, the old system no longer gives customs authorities the tools they need to keep unsafe products out and fair competition in. The effects of the new €3 duty on parcels are starting to show ⤵️

euronews.com

EU halves cheap parcel influx in bid to rein in Chinese e-commerce

The EU has cut the number of low-value parcels entering the region by half, following the introduction of a €3 flat fee. The measure is part of a broader effort to curb the growing dominance of…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 14/09/2026

Renovation is key to making housing more affordable and more energy efficient 🏠 Financing is a big part of that to help people meet up-front costs. But does it reach those who need it, when they need it? Our new reality check report dives into the details and provides key recommendations 👇

beuc.eu

Financing: the key to unlocking home renovations?

Consumer reality check report: how best to ensure support reaches consumers that need it Financing instruments such as grants or loans exist to help consumers renovate their homes to make them more en...

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Reposted by BEUC - The Consumer Voice

Secretaría General de Consumo y Juego @consumogob.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

¿Cómo aseguramos las autoridades de vigilancia del mercado los 15.000.000 de productos que cada día llegan a nuestros hogares? La Organización Europea de Consumidores @beuc.eu ha tomado nuestro laboratorio del Centro de Investigación y Control de Calidad (CICC) como centro de referencia en Europa.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 12/09/2026

Consumer literacy is in the spotlight this week thanks to the International Literacy Day. Today, we’re highlighting an initiative by AIJU Instituto Tecnológico de Producto Infantil y Ocio that helps consumer professionals make consumer education easier to understand and more accessible for everyone.

consumer-education.eu

Initiative - Consumer Education Hub

Our goal is to provide inspiration to all those who are developing consumer education initiatives which help people understand and navigate markets safely.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 11/09/2026

📣 Self-regulation can complement but cannot replace binding legal rules, independent verification, & robust public enforcement, said BEUC’s Patrycja Gautier at EuCML’s conference. "We look forward to stronger tools to enforce the rules effectively both in the area of green claims and beyond."

From right to left: BEUC's Patrycja Gauthier, Anne-Lise Sibony (Université catholique de Louvain), Bert Keirsbilck (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), Anne-Christine Fornage (University of Lausanne) and Elena Marro (European University Institute, Florence), at this year's EuCML annual conference.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 10/09/2026

180 parcels/sec come in the 🇪🇺 every day, lots from online marketplaces. How can authorities ensure they're safe? Last June, we and our members had the opportunity to visit @consumogob.bsky.social's testing lab in Madrid to see how it's done on the ground 👇 Mil gracias for the visit and insights!

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 10/09/2026

✅ Consumers deserve an easy and meaningful way to control their choices when it comes to tracking technologies. As Cláudio Teixeira explained: "Simplification does not need to come at the expense of our rights." Read more: orf.at/stories/3441...

orf.at

Unerwartete Wende: Industrie für, NGOs gegen Cookie-Banner

Sie sind auf praktisch jeder Website zu finden und ein beliebtes Streitthema: Dienen oder verhindern Cookie-Banner Datenschutz? Ende des Vorjahres kündigte die EU jedenfalls gravierende Änderungen an,...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 10/09/2026

🍪 Help us kill the cookie banner! Automated signals is the only proposal from the Digital Omnibus aimed at actually simplifying consumers' life. That's why privacy advocates urge EU policymakers to support binding automated signals. Read our open letter to the EU: killthecookiebanner.eu/open-letter

killthecookiebanner.eu

Kill the Cookie Banner!

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 09/09/2026

But...we need to remember something else in terms of housing affordability: energy💡 Energy retrofitting homes can play a key role in cutting housing costs. But countries are lagging behind in meeting renovation targets meaning that making homes more energy efficient is still out of reach for many.

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 09/09/2026

Housing has become a source of financial stress for consumers across Europe with an increasing % of incomes going towards buying/renting a home 🏘️ It's good the topic has now reached the political agenda with @ec.europa.eu's Affordable Housing Act proposal today: lnkd.in/eM-iuwc8

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 09/09/2026

Together, we'll look for answers to see how to strike the right balance between data protection and innovation, and how consumer trust in privacy can be an economic asset in Europe's competitiveness and digital economy. Register now to join us on the day: www.beuc.eu/events/are-w...

beuc.eu

Are we underestimating the economic value of privacy?

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 09/09/2026

On 30 September, our Director General Agustín Reyna will discuss the potential economic impacts of the digital omnibus together with our panel: 🔹Renate Nikolay, Deputy DG of DG CNECT 🔹Marina Kaljurand, MEP for S&D 🔹@gzf.bsky.social from Future of Privacy Forum 🔹Ursula Pachl from @noyb.eu

beuc.eu

Are we underestimating the economic value of privacy?

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 08/09/2026

Consumers deserve safe products whether they shop online or on the high street. As e-commerce grows, unsafe and non-compliant products continue to reach consumers. This International Product Safety Week, BEUC and Consumers International are joining forces. Discover our call👇 #IPSW2026

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 03/09/2026

Have you ever wondered why certain products cost more in your country than in neighbouring countries? Legislators call it “Territorial Supply Constraints”. We call them unjustified restrictions for retailers set by manufacturers that lead to price increases for consumers. Learn more ⤵️

blog.beuc.eu

Are consumers denied cheaper products from other countries? - Consumer Corner

Have you ever wondered why certain products cost more in your country than in neighbouring countries? This may be the result of unjustified restrictions set by manufacturers on retailers, also known a...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 02/09/2026

Thanks to the DMA, consumers are entitled to more choice by default, greater control over their data, better value when using apps and online services, and better search and shopping results. Learn more about what the DMA has done for you in our factsheet: www.beuc.eu/factsheets/y...

beuc.eu

Your Choice by Default thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act

As a consumer, through the Digital Markets Act (DMA), you are entitled to more choice by default, greater control over your data, better value when using apps and online services, and better search an...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 02/09/2026

Americans are experiencing a perceived loss of personal agency due to the power of Big Tech, according to Rana Foroohar: www.ft.com/content/63e8... In the EU, the Digital Markets Act imposes clear rules to prevent unfair practices, giving consumers the right to more choice 👇

ft.com

Americans feel they have lost their agency

People increasingly blame large corporations for the sense that they have ever less control over their own lives

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 02/09/2026

Would you like your clothes to be affordable while easier to repair, recyclable & sustainably made? The EU is working on a proposal to make this the norm. BEUC recommends: ✅ Longer-lasting textiles ✅ Safe and sustainable design ✅ Improved circularity & info. Find out more 👇

beuc.eu

How Ecodesign criteria can make sustainable and affordable textiles a reality

As consumers are increasingly aware of the textiles sector’s negative impact on the environment, they expect their clothes to last longer. Almost six in 10 Europeans are willing to pay more for produc...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 31/08/2026

Consumer PRO+ is a free training programme for consumer professionals across Europe, funded by the European Commission, to help them better protect consumers. 📚 Our training catalogue covers 20+ topics across consumer protection 👉Take our short survey to help shape what comes next.

commission.europa.eu

Consumer PRO+ Training Catalogue

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 27/08/2026

Because holidays should not come with financial stress, from 2028 consumers will be better protected against financial losses when it comes to package holidays. BEUC contributed to make it a reality, here's how ⤵️

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 21/08/2026

📢 Call for experts BEUC is looking for technical experts in Ecodesign & Energy Labelling to support European consumer organisations in the EU policy-making process. 📋 Learn more about the selection criteria here 👇 www.beuc.eu/vacancy/call...

beuc.eu

Call for establishment of a pool of experts – Ecodesign/Energy Labelling

BEUC is looking for technical experts in the areas of Ecodesign and Energy Labelling to support European consumer organisations in the EU policy-making process. Experts will provide technical and scie...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 19/08/2026

📄🖊️ As a result of the DMA, Apple announced changes to its App Store business terms for apps in the EU. BEUC's Sebastien Pant: “It remains to be seen if these commitments will satisfy app developers who will, in any case, pass on the fees to consumers." 🔎 www.lemonde.fr/economie/art...

lemonde.fr

Apple consent à respecter les règles européennes sur les marchés numériques

A l’issue de deux années d’enquêtes et de recours, le géant américain s’engage à appliquer la loi communautaire sur les marchés numériques (DMA). L’entreprise promet de ne plus faire obstacle aux télé...

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 14/08/2026

From digital markets to energy and consumer rights, the months ahead will shape key EU decisions. That’s why we’ve set out clear priorities for the Irish Presidency, focusing on areas where action can make a real difference for consumers.

beuc.eu

Memorandum for the Irish Presidency, 2026

In this Memorandum, BEUC, The European Consumer Organisation, outlines concrete proposals for how the Council of Ministers, together with the European Parliament, should legislate to achieve a high…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 13/08/2026

Are you ready to make sustainability your business’ competitive edge? Have you wondered about the new EU green claims and sustainable products policies and how to apply them? Would you like to learn more about the EU Ecolabel? This webinar is for you! youtu.be/NPvtkxlCGzc

youtu.be

WEBINAR | EU Ecolabel: how companies gain a competitive edge through credibility

www.beuc.eu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beuc-the-european-consumer-organisation/ ___ Are you ready to make sustainability your business’ competitive edge? Have you wondered about the…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 13/08/2026

Cheap online purchase may not be as straightforward as it seems. Past customs rules allowed low-value imports to enter the EU with limited checks, creating loopholes that can affect product safety, consumer protection, & fair competition. The new €3 customs duty is a step in the right direction.

blog.beuc.eu

Why the EU must end de minimis exemption

The EU is ending the de minimis exemption on low-value parcels up to €150 and introducing a customs duty. Good news for product safety!

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 12/08/2026

“Green” flights are increasingly marketed to consumers, especially during the busy travel season. That’s why BEUC and its members have launched a coordinated enforcement action targeting airlines over potentially misleading environmental claims. See what has changed ⤵️

beuc.eu

Green (f)lying | BEUC

BEUC and 23 of its members in 19 countries filed a complaint on 22 June 2023 to the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities (CPC) denouncing misleading climate-related…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 10/08/2026

The Digital Markets Act was designed to make digital markets fairer and more competitive. Two years on, some platforms are slow to comply or interpret the rules in ways that risk weakening their impact. For consumers, that means fewer benefits than expected, at least for now.

blog.beuc.eu

Two years on it’s time for Big Tech to stop playing games under the Digital Markets Act - Consumer Corner

Since the Digital Markets Act entered into force, Europe’s consumers have been given more choice of services, apps and hardware. Still, the benefits would be even greater if certain Big Tech…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 10/08/2026

BEUC works for a Europe where consumers are protected, informed and empowered. That mission is driven by a strong network of independent consumer groups working together in Brussels and across Europe. Take a look at the stories behind the progress. www.beuc.eu/success-stor...

beuc.eu

Success stories

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 07/08/2026

The EU’s Single Market should give consumers access to better prices and more choice across borders. Yet in practice, many still face barriers, from restricted access to delivery limitations, when trying to buy cheaper products in another country.

blog.beuc.eu

Are consumers denied cheaper products from other countries? - Consumer Corner

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 07/08/2026

A success story for consumers: solving disputes out of court should now be easier, faster and more practical. BEUC took part in the process and pushed for a system that helps people get redress without going to court. More here: www.beuc.eu/success-stor...

beuc.eu

Solving disputes out of court becomes easier

These Alternative Dispute Resolution measures introduced systems for consumers and businesses to resolve disputes without going to court by involving neutral third parties e.g. Ombudsmen or Consumer…

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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 06/08/2026

Consumer protection doesn’t happen overnight, it takes consistent work across many fronts. Over the past year, we’ve worked with our members to address unfair practices, strengthen enforcement, and push for policies that deliver for consumers across Europe.

annualreport.beuc.eu

BEUC annual report 2025

2025 was a dynamic year for The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC. Read our annual report to learn more.

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