Consumer's Telegram February 2025

Insert of n. 13 - Editorial office: Centro Europeo Consumatori (European Consumer Centre Italy - Bolzano office)

TRAVEL

FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada: watch out for documents and tickets

Anyone planning to attend matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup should organise their trip carefully and check entry requirements well in advance, as they differ from country to country.

For Italian citizens, paid electronic travel authorisations are required, such as the ESTA for the United States and the eTA for Canada, while Mexico has its own specific procedures. It’s essential to apply only through official government channels: relying on intermediaries advertised on search engines (often among the top results) can lead to extra fees, and in some cases, complications.

The same applies to match tickets: only buy them through the official channels indicated by FIFA. Since rules can change, it’s always a good idea to check the latest information on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official travel website, Viaggiaresicuri.it.
https://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/home

FASHION & CONSUMER GOODS

Shein: Greenpeace tests detect hazardous chemicals in clothing

An investigation by Greenpeace Germany analysed 56 items of clothing sold online by Shein across several European countries, including products for both adults and children. The findings show that around one third of the tested items contain chemical substances above the limits allowed under the EU REACH regulation.

Substances identified include phthalates and PFAS, compounds associated with potential health risks and environmental pollution. The investigation highlights that chemical safety issues linked to ultra-fast fashion remain a current concern, raising questions about consumer protection and environmental impact.
https://www.greenpeace.ch/static/planet4-switzerland-stateless/2025/11/9241ed86-shameonyoushein.pdf

AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS

Passenger rights: the European Parliament says “no step backwards”

The European Parliament has approved its position on the revision of EU rules on air passenger rights, reaffirming the need to maintain and strengthen protections for travellers. In particular, MEPs want to keep unchanged the current threshold: three hours of delay as the point at which the right to financial compensation applies, as well as the amount of that compensation.

Among the proposals supported by Parliament is also the right for passengers to bring on board free of charge both a personal item (such as a handbag, backpack or laptop) and a small cabin bag, reducing unclear and potentially misleading extra costs. Another key point is simplifying procedures: airlines should provide passengers with pre-filled forms to claim compensation and refunds.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/it/press-room/20260116IPR32442/il-parlamento-europeo-vuole-difendere-i-diritti-dei-passeggeri-aerei

CASE OF THE MONTH

A Dutch consumer placed a pre-order for collectors’ playing cards worth over €25,000.00 through an Italian company. After the stated availability date, the company failed to deliver the goods and repeatedly promised a refund of the amount paid, but never actually made the bank transfer.

The consumer then contacted the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Netherlands for assistance, and the dispute was shared with ECC Italy. Thanks to ECC Italy’s intervention, the company repaid the consumer the full amount paid in advance.