Europe: Consumer Protection

Ireland's Department of Finance unveils its Vision 2030 strategy to strengthen the country's position as a leading international financial services hub through 31 targeted actions addressing legislation, regulation, digital transformation, and talent development.

The Treasury's policy statement on Consumer Credit Act 1974 reform is progressing through Parliament via the Financial Services and Markets Bill. As the legislation advances through the House of Lords, firms face an earlier-than-expected implementation timeline and must prepare for the FCA's upcoming consultation on new rules for a modernized consumer credit regime.

The Court of Appeal has upheld a High Court decision allowing approximately 5,000 motor finance claims to proceed via multi-party 'omnibus' claim forms, challenging the lenders' attempts to disaggregate the cases. The ruling addresses whether claims alleging unfair relationships under the Consumer Credit Act 1974—based on undisclosed dealer commissions—can be efficiently managed collectively despite their fact-specific nature. This case management decision provides important guidance on the cour

The European travel market has undergone a dramatic transformation as digital platforms and AI-powered booking tools reshape how consumers purchase holidays. As travellers increasingly assemble their own trips...

Travel platforms face evolving regulatory scrutiny as package travel rules expand beyond traditional tour operators. Product design, marketing strategies, and booking flow decisions now carry significant...

The government has moved the start date for the UK’s new consumer subscription rules. The regime in Part 4, Chapter 2 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) will now take effect in January 2027 rather than the spring 2027 date announced earlier this year.

Jeremy Brooke’s referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal raises important questions not only for those directly involved in the collapse of SSB Law, but for the wider future of high-volume consumer claims litigation and the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s approach to enforcement.

Anyone who has tried to buy tickets for a major sporting event or concert in recent years will be familiar with the frustration. Tickets sell out within minutes, only to reappear on resale platforms at eye-watering prices.

On 19 August 2026 the CMA launched three further investigations under the DMCC Act consumer protection regime over concerns that consumers were not shown the total price upfront when buying train tickets, holidays or driving lessons.

The UK Government has brought forward new rules to combat subscription traps, requiring businesses to provide clearer contract information, send renewal reminders, and simplify cancellation processes. These changes under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 will take effect in January 2027, with significant penalties for non-compliance including fines up to £300,000 or 10% of turnover.

The EU's Green Transition Directive introduces sweeping new rules on greenwashing, sustainability claims, and product durability that will impact all businesses selling to EU consumers from September 2026. With banned practices, mandatory pre-contractual disclosures, and new labelling requirements, companies must act now to audit their environmental claims and ensure compliance across both physical and digital channels.

The UK government has accelerated the implementation of new subscription contract rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, moving the enforcement date to January 2027. These regulations introduce stricter transparency requirements at sign-up, mandatory cooling-off periods including a new renewal cooling-off window, and simplified cancellation processes designed to eliminate 'subscription traps' that lock consumers into unwanted recurring payments.