Consumer's Telegram October 2026

Insert of n. 77 - Editorial office: Centro Europeo Consumatori (European Consumer Centre Italy - Bolzano office)

GREENWASHING

New EU Rules Against Greenwashing Apply from 27 September

Since 27 September 2026, the rules of Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for
the green transition have applied. The new rules require sellers to provide better information on
the durability and reparability of products and introduce further protection against greenwashing
and early obsolescence, that is, products becoming unusable before their time. Member States
had until 27 March 2026 to transpose the Directive into national law.
Read more.

GUARANTEES

New EU Guarantee Notice and "EU GARAN" Label Arrive

Since 27 September, European consumers have started to find a harmonised EU notice on their
legal guarantee rights in shops and online stores. The Commission has also introduced the
voluntary "EU GARAN" label for products covered by a free commercial guarantee of durability
longer than two years. Among other things, the notice reminds consumers that the legal
guarantee on goods in the EU generally lasts at least two years, and national laws may provide
for longer periods.
Read more.


SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINORS

EU Kids Act for Children's Safety Online

The European Commission has adopted its proposal for the EU Kids Act. Under the proposal,
children under 13 would no longer be allowed to use social media on their own. Teenagers aged
13 to 15 would get "mini-accounts" with parental controls, and fully independent accounts would
only be permitted from the age of 15. Platforms would have to prove that their services are safe
"by design", which shifts the burden of proof from users to the platforms. Features such as
infinite scrolling or night-time notifications aimed at minors would also be banned.
Read more.


CASE OF THE MONTH
An Italian consumer bought a high-end smartphone on a well-known online marketplace. He
later decided to return it. He sent the parcel back, and the tracking confirmed that it had been
delivered to the seller. Then came the surprise: the company refused the refund, claiming the
parcel it had received was empty. The consumer then contacted the ECC in Bolzano. As the
company is based in another country, ECC Italy activated the European ECC-Net network and
asked ECC Luxembourg to contact the company directly. In the end, the company refunded the
full amount paid by the consumer, 1,700 euros.