Internet-connected  toys, now available to  consumers  in  many  countries, engage in ‘conversations’ with children by using  built-in  microphones  and speech recognition technologies. But are children’s secrets safe with these toys and could even their personal safeties be placed at risk?

Read more

 

ANEC agrees on the need for a coordinated approach to fire safety in the EU as expressed in a call today from a  wide - ranging alliance of stakeholders. Nevertheless, we believe such an holistic strategy also needs to foresee closing the gaps that exist in legislation addressing hazardous chemicals in products relevant to consumers.

Read more

ANEC welcomes adoption of the second phase of Regulation 129 by UNECE (United  Nations  Economic  Commission  for Europe) World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP 29).

Read more

ANEC welcomes the European Parliament’s adoption of a Directive on the Accessibility of Public Sector Bodies’ websites and apps to ensure access to on-line public services to all consumers, regardless of age or ability. The Parliament, in agreement with the Council, made significant improvements to the original Commission proposal in terms of the web-sites covered and enforcement provisions, as well as the inclusion of access from a handheld mobile device and mobile apps, in line with ANEC’s position.

Read more

With standards increasingly used to support - or sometimes even replace - regulation, it is crucial to ensure that societal stakeholders are fully represented and have the ability to contribute to the standardisation process most effectively.

Read more

Yesterday, the European Parliament voted in favour of returning to the well- known A to G scale in its review of the EU Energy - labelling Directive. Products that are required to carry a label, including washing machines ,televisions and  vacuum cleaners, will  no longer be labelled using the confusing  A+,  A++  and A+++ classes. Key improvements have also been agreed for market surveillance.

Read more

#SafeWindowCovering

The OECD Global Awareness Campaign on Window Covering Cord Safety runs from 23 to 30 June. ANEC joins OECD in  wanting to ensure parents are aware of the risks that window blind cords can pose to young children.

Read more

#ANEC21

Since its creation in 1995, ANEC has represented consumers’ interests in standardisation, complementing the contributions of business, in order to ensure standards and related legislation protect European consumers and their welfare. “There is always room for improvement” said ANEC President Arnold Pindar, ahead of the celebration to mark ANEC's 21st anniversary, “but we have achieved much in many sectors - such as product and traffic safety, services, the digital arena, accessibility and sustainability”.

Read more

ANEC welcomes the signature of the Joint Standardisation Initiative (JIES) in Amsterdam today as part of the Single  Market  Forum hosted by the Dutch Presidency of the EU. We believe the strength of the Single Market can be measured by the inclusiveness of the European Standardisation System underpinning it, and so support the actions intended to improve the inclusiveness of the standards process at the European and national levels.

Read more

On the occasion of today’s 6th Carbon Monoxide (CO) Round Table, hosted by MEPs Linda McAvan and Marian Harkin, ANEC - the European Consumer Voice in Standardisation - urges consumers never to take a charcoal barbecue inside because of the risk of lethal CO poisoning.

Read more

ANEC welcomes the adoption today of the “Standardisation Package II” by the European Commission - exactly five years after its proposal for a Regulation on European Standardisation. We especially welcome the aim of the new Package to strengthen consumer participation in standardisation.

Read more

NGOs, consumer groups and research organisations have expressed disappointment with the European Commission’s continuing failure to propose adequate measures for the collection and publication of information about nanomaterials on the EU market after a Commission meeting with stakeholders in Brussels on Monday.

Read more