Recording below. 

The webinar was chaired by Pietro Sirena (ELI Second Vice-President; Dean of the Law School, Bocconi University), who opened the discussion by highlighting the dual focus of the event: first, an in-depth presentation of ELI’s response to the Commission’s consultation; and second, a broader exchange of views with institutional and stakeholder representatives on the future direction of EU consumer policy.

During the first panel, Pascal Pichonnaz (Professor, University of Fribourg) and Aneta Domagalska-Wiewiórowska (Assistant Professor, Institute of Law Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences) presented the core findings of ELI’s response, questioning whether the traditional EU ‘information model’ — built on the assumption that more pre-contractual information leads to better consumer decisions — remains fit for purpose. Drawing on behavioural insights and the evolving case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, particularly under the Unfair Contract Terms Directive, they highlighted challenges such as information overload, limited consumer bargaining power, and increasingly complex transparency requirements. In response, ELI proposes a more streamlined and functional approach to disclosure, including rationalising information duties, reconsidering their timing, making greater use of visual tools such as pictograms, and clarifying the consequences of non-compliance. A key proposal is a three-level information model, distinguishing between essential pre-contractual risk information, additional disclosures during contract performance, and more granular information at the enforcement stage. The speakers also addressed enforcement, noting — with reference to large-scale Swiss franc litigation in Poland — the limits of relying predominantly on private litigation, and suggested exploring ex ante review of standard terms, strengthened pre-litigation mechanisms, and the cautious use of digital tools and AI to enhance efficiency, while maintaining necessary human oversight.

Providing the institutional outlook, David Martin Ruiz (European Commission), presented the main pillars of the EU Consumer Agenda 2030, adopted in November 2024.

He outlined four key priority areas:

• A renewed action plan for consumers in the Single Market;
• Digital fairness and online consumer protection;
• Sustainable consumption;
• Strengthened enforcement of consumer rules.

The Commission representative acknowledged the importance of addressing information overload and confirmed that simplification and digital innovation, including digital labelling and the digital product passport, form part of ongoing work. At the same time, he emphasised that AI, while promising, cannot replace careful legal assessment and must operate under appropriate safeguards.

Presenting the perspective of the consumers, Els Bruggeman (Head of Advocacy and Enforcement, Euroconsumers) stressed that well-informed consumers are not passive actors but essential drivers of innovation and competitiveness in the Single Market. While acknowledging the shortcomings of the current information model, she defended information as a cornerstone of consumer empowerment and called for smarter, more accessible disclosure tools. She also highlighted the potential of AI-powered tools to guide consumers through complex information landscapes.

From the business perspective, Ilya Bruggeman (Director of Digital, Single Market, and Consumer Policy, EuroCommerce) welcomed efforts to streamline information requirements. He cautioned, however, against excessive prescriptiveness and the cumulative burden of overlapping disclosure obligations across consumer and product law. Distinguishing between essential and ‘nice-to-know’ information, he argued for a proportionate and risk-based approach, particularly in light of increasing compliance challenges and unfair competition from rogue traders operating outside the EU.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session.

The recording is available below.