Consumer's Telegram September 2026

Insert of n. 70 - Editorial office: Centro Europeo Consumatori (European Consumer Centre Italy - Bolzano office)

Artificial Intelligence

New Transparency Obligations Now in Force (AI Act)

As of 2 August 2026, the main transparency obligations set out in the European Artificial
Intelligence Regulation (the AI Act) have come into force, while the timeline for the more
complex requirements applying to high-risk systems has undergone some changes. For
European consumers, these new rules mark a fundamental step towards greater digital
awareness: AI systems that interact directly with people — such as chatbots or virtual assistants
— will now have to clearly disclose their artificial nature. In addition, artificially generated or
manipulated content — so-called audio, video or text deepfakes — must be unambiguously
labelled to prevent deceptive practices, thereby ensuring that users are able to make informed
choices online.

Read more: The EU regulatory framework on AI (European Commission)


Holidays on Instalments (Buy Now, Pay Later)

Beware the Risk of Over-Indebtedness

Paying in instalments, known as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), is increasingly common among
travel operators, particularly online. While it can make a holiday seem more affordable, this tool
risks simply postponing a cost that the consumer may not be able to sustain, heightening the
danger of over-indebtedness. It is estimated that 2 in 10 Italians have already used BNPL to
finance their holidays. The system spreads the amount immediately — usually across 3 or 4
interest-free instalments — without carrying out any prior check on the customer's
creditworthiness. The speed of this digital procedure encourages impulse purchases and the
simultaneous opening of several financing agreements, obscuring the fact that the consumer is
taking on a genuine debt, one that carries heavy penalties in the event of non-payment.
Moreover, the involvement of an intermediary managing the financing complicates the resolution
of any disputes, making it harder to identify who to turn to for complaints or refunds relating to
the trip. As Stefano Albertini (ECC Italy) and Gunde Bauhofer (CTCU) point out, choosing BNPL
means entering into a fully-fledged financing contract, taking on a financial commitment that
continues even after the trip has ended.
Read more: https://www.euroconsumatori.org/it/news_it/970

Stop to Greenwashing

New Rules on Environmental Claims Take Effect

From autumn 2026 — specifically 27 September — the new European rules designed to protect
consumers from misleading environmental claims come fully into force, recently transposed into
Italian law through Legislative Decree No. 30/2026 (D.Lgs. 30/2026). Companies will no longer
be able to use generic terms such as "eco-friendly", "green" or "environmentally respectful"
without providing scientific and certified evidence. Sustainability labels not based on an
approved certification scheme will also be banned. This legislation ensures that citizens'
environmental choices are grounded in real, verifiable information, countering misleading
marketing strategies and fostering a more transparent green transition.

Read more: Stopping greenwashing: how the EU regulates environmental claims (European
Parliament)

CASE OF THE MONTH

Car Rental and Extra Charges for Traffic Fines

A German consumer who had rented a car in Italy received two traffic fines through the rental
company, with an additional 25 euros in "administrative fees" for each offence. Considering the
charge unfair, he contacted the ECC in Bolzano. Our advisers asked the company to cancel
these costs, since applying such flat-rate penalties is regarded as an unfair term both in
administrative and judicial proceedings. Following our intervention, the rental company fully
reversed both invoices as a goodwill gesture.