Consumer Protection

Final call for registration for the 2nd European conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion.

The conference will take place in Paris where Eurosafe hope to be able to sign the NGO declaration on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in the European Union.
The registration form is available at the Eurosafe website
Please inform any contacts in your own network who may also have an interest in attending the conference.
For the latest developments on this please see the article on the front page of the June issue of the EuroSafe Alert
EPHA related articles
Eurosafe issues a new (...)

The European Child Safety Alliance Expesses View on the Toy Safety Directive

The European Child Safety Alliance wrote to MEPs in order to express their views of the Toy Safety Directive in an attempt to make them aware of parallel discussions that are taking place with child safety experts in a number of Members States and their concerns regarding the toy safety directive.
The hearing took place on the 23 June 2008 and the final amendments will be made on 9 September 2008.
The European Child Safety Alliance is an initiative of EuroSafe that brings together experts (...)

Home Safety Campaign: protecting children from injuries

The European Child Safety Alliance has launched a ’Home safety campaign’ throughout Europe which aims to raise awareness of the injuries occuring to children in the home and to highlight the strategies that can be used to prevent these injuries.
The campaign combines actions to be taken at national level, as well as advocacy activities at European level (eg on RIP cigarettes, or the Alcohol strategy)
The campaign disseminates fact-sheets ranging from improvements in home design to home (...)

New EU trade rules threaten the health of European babies

In July 2006 EU Member States gave way to the European Commission and voted to adopt a revised Directive on the composition and marketing of infant formulae and follow-on formulae wich relaxes the restrictions of the previous Directive.
According to European health, development and consumer organisations, the revised Directive has paved the way for the establishment of a harmful framework for marketing practices. The Directive will be published in the Official Journal in the autumn to be (...)

Faculty of Public Health tackles salt intake and industry

The Faculty of Public Health of the Royal College of Physicians of the UK has published a position paper on salt which sets out the implications for citizen’s health if current levels of intake persist.
The position statement also outlines what need to happen to ensure that salt levels are reduced and public health protected.
The Faculty is calling for continued concerted action across all sectors, including public, governmental and non-governmental, and, critically, industry to ensure (...)

Health Action International 25th Anniversary Conference on people-centered medicines

On the 26 and 27 October, Health Action International - an EPHA member - celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a special Conference on "Pills, Politics and Practice: demanding people-centred medicines policy in the 21st century".
The conference will explore HAI’s core areas of work: 1. Access to essential medicines 2. Rational use of medicines 3. Democratisation of medicines policy
During the conference, will be released a booklet about HAI past achievements and examples of best practices. (...)

British Fluoridation Society calls for allowing the addition of fluorides to foods

Ahead of the vote by the Environment, Food Safety and Public health Committee of the European Parliament on a regulation on Food Additives scheduled on the 20-21 March 2006, the British Fluoridation Society calls for a strong stance to allow the addition of fluorides to foods.
According to the BFS, various amendments (23 and 24) if accepted, would prohibit the addition of fluorides to food and water.
The BFS argues that exposure to fluoride has been one of the main factors contributing to (...)

*UPDATED* Implementing child-resistant lighters in the EU: not so easy

*UPDATED* The European Commission has decided that non-child-resistant lighters are banned from the EU marketplaces.
As of the 14 March 2007, the EU required that lighters must be child-resistants. It also bans lighters which resemble objects that are attractive to children.
The deadline to comply with this regulation is the 11 March 2008.
Background
On the 08-09 February 2006, as requested by the Directive on the General Product Safety (GPSD) 2001/95/EC, the European Commission presented a (...)

A chemical health scare found in baby milk

A chemical health scare in baby milk triggers controversial reactions from health NGOs and the European Food Safety Agency
Before the Christmas break, Italian and Spanish authorities tested baby milk products and the results showed that the chemicals used in labels swept through the cartons into the milk.
According to EPHA Environment Network and Greenpeace, very little information is available about the safety of ITX, which is produced in quantities below 1,000 tonnes. However, it is (...)

Improving quality of life for food allergic people - The Europrevall project

The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) (an EPHA member) is one of 54 partners in the EU-funded mutli-disciplinary intergrated project, EuroPrevall - a project on the Prevalence, Cost, and Basis of Food Allergy across Europe. In this project EFA is leader of the allergy consumer stakeholder group.
EuroPrevall aims to deliver improved quality of life for food allergic people by developing common information and tools for use by European food (...)

Children at risk: Hearing to increase protection at EU level

EuroSafe’s European Child Safety Alliance organised a hearing on Child Safety on the 09 November 2005 in Brussels. It was chaired by the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Philip Whitehead, (PES - UK and chair of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumers).
The aims of the event were to set up recommendations for four technological changes that are required to reduce the high percentage of child deaths in Europe: front car design, safer cigarette manufacturing, child-resistance (...)

Seminar: alcohol is no ordinary commodity

During the first part of 2005 the Parliament will handle the European Commission’s proposal regarding an Alcohol strategy.
IOGT-NTO, an EPHA member, co-organised a seminar in this issue on 26 January 2005, hosted by MEP Mrs Cecilia Malmström.
Mr Kari Paaso, the representative of DG Sanco who works on the strategy, presented the EC’s position. There were also various guests who gave their perspective on the issue.
Speakers included Dr Michel Craplet (medical advisor of ANPAA, France) who (...)

French law on alcohol advertisement clarified

The French Parliament adopted on the 19th of January 2005, an amendment to the French law on Alcohol Advertisement (the so-called Evin Law). This amendment was initially intended to allow more room for wine advertisement.
However, in a country where alcohol kills 45,000 people and costs 17.6 thousand millions € each year, further promotion of wine consumption was considered nonsense, as claimed by public health prevention campaigns.
The amendment is the result of a consensus between wine (...)

Toxic chemicals and women’s health

Women in Europe for a Common Future in cooperation with the Social Ecological Institute and Karat Coalition will hold a seminar titled “Toxic chemicals in our daily life from a women’s health perspective. Do we have to accept the present situation?”.
The Conference will take place in Warsaw on the 6th of December 2004.
The seminar will deal with the impact of toxic chemicals, which exists in our daily lives, on women’s health. Examples include toxic chemicals in toys, cosmetics (...)

Philip Morris: $1 billion agreement with EC to combat smuggling of cigarettes

A victory for European public health say lung specialists.
Philip Morris International (PMI), the worlds biggest tobacco manufacturer, agreed to pay the European Commission a billion dollars in compensation as part of a landmark deal to combat smuggling of tobacco on Friday 9th July 2004.
In the past tobacco industry representatives have denied they have aided smuggling activity or could have done anything to prevent it.
But the European Respiratory Society (ERS), an EPHA member, believes (...)

Examining the public health accountability of the Pharma industry

A new book on pharmaceuticals and public health has been published by Health Action International (HAI) collaborators Charles Medawar and Anita Hardon.
The book Medicines Out of Control: Antidepressants and the Conspiracy of Goodwill uses the case of antidepressants to build its argument that pharmaceutical medicine is losing sight of health and lacks public accountability. The book highlights the role that enormous drug promotion, lax regulation, overprescribing and use of mood-regulating (...)

GMOs dominate Q&A with Commissioner Byrne

Nutritional health claims & the consumer credit proposal
On 2 October, Commissioner Byrne answered questions from Environment and Health Committeee regarding the above.
Most of the questions revealed deep concerns by committee members about the findings of a British survey which showed the damaging impact on bio-diversity and wildlife by GM crop trials.
Commissioner Byrne was reluctant to be drawn too deeply on the matter and said that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the (...)

Conference on consumer protection and democracy: "the food case"

"The food case", a conference supported by the Greens & the European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) was held in the European Parliament on 18th September 2003.
The aim of the conference was to explore a strategy for consumer protection, and discuss how to improve the quality of food in Europe.
There was great emphasis that quality meant more than hygiene, but rather the culture of food.
The four themes for discussion were:
The precautionary principle or liability - two strategies for (...)

CPME policy paper: "European patients demand access to information for all disease areas"

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) endorsed on 30 August the policy from the European Patients Forum: "European patients demand access to information for all disease areas".
To read CPME’s policy paper, please click here.

Questions raised about the health impact of electromagnetic fields

The BioInitiative Working Group, an international group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals, has published in collaboration with the European Environment Agency (EEA), a new report which raises concerns about the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, power lines and other sources, and calls for new safety standards.
The report, “Bioinitiative: A Rationale for a Biologically-Based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic (...)

Call for an EU-wide zero alcohol limit for professional commercial drivers

The European Parliament Transport and Tourism Committee adopted in November 2006 a report stating that there there should be an EU-wide zero alcohol limit for new drivers and as well as for professional commercial vehicle or bus drivers involved in passenger transport.
According to the report, this is needed if the EU wants to seriously reduce the 40 000 recorded road fatalities every year.
The own initiative report drafted by Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PES, SE) responds to the mid-term review (...)

Commission bans 22 hair dye substances to increase consumer safety

Amid concerns of potential bladder cancer risks, the European Commission has banned 22 hair dye substances. The ban is based upon the recommendations of the Scientific Committee of Consumer Products (SCCP) advising the Commission following the conclusions of a scientific study on the long term use of certain hair dyes.
In a public consultation, the Commission had asked producers to provide safety files for their substances. These files, based on scientific expertise, have to prove that a (...)

WHO states that children should not use sunbeds

The World Health Organisation has recommended that no one under the age of 18 should use an artificial tanning sunbed. It highlights that sunbed use poses a risk of skin cancer and young people who get burnt from exposure to UV will have greater chances of developing melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer) later in life.
Worldwide, there are an estimated 66 000 deaths from malignant melanoma and other skin cancers annually. These figures continue to rise: in Norway and Sweden, (...)

EU scientists find no link between parabens and breast cancer

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in food products, medicines and cosmetics such as lipsticks and deodorants.
The Cosmetic Directive of 1976 sets the maximum concentration for their use in cosmetic products.
Since then, a number of scientific publications have suggested a link between breast cancer and the use of paraben-containing deodorants and antiperspirants.
DG SANCO requested an opinion from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) . The (...)

A worldwide appeal to control chemical pollution

Scientists and researchers at the international colloquium in May the 7th at UNESCO in Paris on "cancer environment and society" organised by French cancer research organisation ARTAC gave their support to the Paris Appeal, which will be presented to the United Nations, the European Union, and national decision makers at the end of 2004.
This "Paris Appeal" is to call national decision-makers, European Authorities, international organisations, and specifically the United Nations (...)

New report from Pesticide Action Network

A new report entitled ¨Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability¨ has been released in May 2004 by Pesticide Action Network North America (PAN).
The report makes public an analysis of pesticide-related data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a study on the levels of chemicals in peoples’ bodies throughout the U.S.
The report concludes that many U.S. residents carry toxic pesticides in their bodies above government assessed (...)

Better protection for workers against electromagnetic waves

On 30 March 2004 the European Parliament adopted a new Directive to protect the health and safety of workers against the dangers of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
The Parliament, at second reading adopted only 5 amendments to the Council’s common position - and these amendments are apparently acceptable to the Council. Member States will have four years to enact the Directive into national law.
The Directive lays down maximum values for exposure to electromagnetic fields to protect the (...)

Addressing the health hazards of mercury

DG Environment is organising a stakeholder consultation on Mercury in Brussels on 31 March 2004 as preparation for the development of an EU Strategy on Mercury.
A consultation paper prepared by DG Environment presents an analysis of the situation relating to the use, control, emissions and impacts of mercury and its compounds. The chlor-alkali industry is the largest present user of mercury in the EU. However, for a variety of reasons, the use of mercury in this industry sector is being (...)

9th European roundtable on sustainable consumption and production

The Environmental Performance Agency of the Basque Government (IHOBE) organises the 9th European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP 2004) on 12-14 May 2004 in Bilbao, Spain.
The ERSCP 2004 will serve as a platform to deal with both the prevailing as well as the emerging themes of sustainable production and consumption. This European forum of experts will promote the dissemination and implementation of innovative experiences on sustainability.
Click here to read (...)

Participate in NGO Campaigns on Dangerous Chemicals

The first review in 30 years of EU legislation on chemicals is currently at the stage of public consultation, deadline for comments is 10 July 2003. The proposed legislation is designed to control harmful and toxic chemicals which are used in every day comsumer products and which accumulate in the body.
There are currently over 100 000 chemicals approved for the EU market but there is little or no safety data on long-term exposure to many of these chemicals. This means that European (...)

Wallström and Liikanen unveil new Chemicals plan

Commissioners Erkki Liikanen, enterprise, and Margot Wallström, environment, unveiled an ’orientation paper’ on the EU’s new chemicals policy to commissioners last Wednesday 7 May 2003.
At the same time, the proposed ’Reach’ system - to Register, Evaluate and Authorise CHemicals - was posted online for a long-awaited final public consultation to test its workability.
The final proposal, a sweeping overhaul bringing together elements of 60 directives, will be finalised by (...)

Green Week 2003

The 2003 edition of Green Week that will take place 2-5 June.
The main aim of Green Week is to encourage people to "think aloud" about changing people’s environmental behaviour and making the world a more environmentally friendly and healthy place to live in.
Green Week 2003 intends bringing people together to debate, as a follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on key environmental issues of sustainable consumption and production, renewable energy & (...)

Precautionary Principle and EMF

Conducting Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment and Risk Management under the precepts of Precautionary Principle represents challenges and opportunities for scientists, policy makers and the public.
Responding to the need to provide a framework and test it in a case study, the World Health Organization, The European Commission and the US National Institute of Environmental Health Science held a 3 day meeting on "Application of the Precautionary Principle to (...)

Renewal of Scientific Committees 2009

The European Commission adopts new Scientific Risk Assessment Advisory Structure of Scientific Committees.
The new Scientific Risk Advisory Structure of Scientific Committees was approved by the Commission on 5 September 2008. The Advisory Structure will provide the Commission with high quality and independent scientific advice on matters related to consumer safety, public health, and the environment.
A call for experts is expected to be announced within the next few weeks, and interested (...)

Council adopts a legislative package aimed at facilitating free movements of goods in the EU.

On 23 June 2008, the European Council adopted a package of legal instruments dealing with the "mutual recognition" principle and with the "new approach" system.
The new package has the role to improve free movement of goods within the internal market by removing barriers to trade and enhancing competitiveness and safety for consumers. EPHA is concerned that this package does not take into account the possible concerns of European citizens following the policy impact of these instruments. (...)

The European Commission adopted a regulation on the use of safe recycled plastics in food packaging

The European Commission has adopted a new regulation to ensure safety of food packaging made of recycled plastics. This new action sets the conditions under which the manufacturers of food contact materials can use recycled plastics.
Regulation (EC) 282/2008 on recycled plastic materials and articles was adopted on 27/03/2008 in order to ensure the safety of food packaging made of recycled plastics. The present Regulation:
Sets the conditions under which the manufacturers of food contact (...)

"Communicating Europe in Partnership": EU information priorities

The European Commission has presented proposals for "Communicating Europe in Partnership", a document proposes joint communication priorities with other EU institutions and voluntary management partnerships with Member States.
Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy said that citizens want clear information from the EU institutions and that it’s time to end the blame game and work together.
Built on (...)

Which are our rights as consumers?

The European Commission, DG SANCO, launched a new brochure to answer usual citizen’s questions about their rights as consumers, on July 2007.
The publication, entitled Your rights as a consumer: How the European Union protects your interests, is intended to help citizens learn more about what the EU is doing for European consumers, how it is protecting consumer’s rights, and how to uphold their rights in case of a problem.
The brochure presents clearly and briefly the main problems that (...)

EU Ombudsman launches information campaign for organisations

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, launched an information campaign to organisations with a registered office in the EU, about their right to complain to the Ombudsman on 7 June 2007.
The campaign is directed to NGO’s, associations, companies, regional offices, schools and universities. The Ombudsman information sheet explains to these organisations how the Ombudsman can help settle problems with the EU administration, giving the following information:
What can you complain (...)

Netherlands Beer Cartel Broken up by European Commission Whistleblower

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition, announced on 18th April 2007, that the Commission has decided to fine Dutch brewers Heineken, Grolsh and Bavaria a total of €273 million for operating a cartel on the beer market in the Netherlands.
Between at least 1996 and 1999, the brewers made secret and illegal agreements to fix prices, divide up markets and exchange confidential information between the competitors. According to the Commission, this practice kept the price of beer (...)

ECJ opinion on the responsibility of retailers in labelling of alcohol products

On the 12 September 2006, the European Court of Justice delivered an opinion related to Labelling and presentation of foodstuffs. It concluded that responsibility on the labelling and presentation is held by all actors involved in the manufacturing and distribution processes.
The Court had to assess who is responsible for the particulars on the label of a pre-packaged foodstuff and who is therefore liable if the particulars are inaccurate.
The Italian Office of the Justice of the Peace of (...)

Fixing Cigarette Prices - France and Belgium Tackled

France and Belgium are being tackled by the European Commission (EC) for fixing of minimum retail prices for cigarettes. The EC decided in June 2006 to send these countries a reasoned opinion.
The Commission believes that such prices do not respect Community law, distort competition and benefit manufacturers only by safeguarding their profit margins.
In order to reduce tobacco consumption - a positive base step in boosting public health - the EC advocates increasing the excise duty on (...)

EU calls for Sun Bed Regulation

The use of ultraviolet-radiation devices, tanning lamps and sunbeds, to achieve and maintain cosmetic tanning, is likely to increase the risk of malignant melanoma (a serious type of skin cancer), according to an opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) to the European Commission.
The SCCP adopted their report entitled "Biological effects ofultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sunbeds for cosmetic purposes" in June 2006.
The 43 page (...)

The revision of the Television Without Frontiers Directive: an unhealthy Christmas present

**UPDATED**European Court of Justice asked to rule on marketing of herbal cigarettes

*Updated with the conclusions of the Court.* The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has referred to the European Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling on herbal cigarettes.
In the case of ‘A.C. Smits-Koolhoven against Staatssecretaris van Financiën’, the Supreme Court of Netherlands asked if herbal cigarettes are to be considered and defined as tobacco products and thereof submitted to the same rules.
The Supreme Court of Netherlands refers particularly to the Council Directive 95/59/EC (...)

Health? Not a priority for the European Commission Work Programme 2006

The European Commission adopted its work programme for 2006, defining its priorities: preparing future enlargement, strengthening the Lisbon strategy, reinforcing prosperity, responding to security threats and bridging the "communication gap".
Entitled “unlocking Europe’s full potential”, the work programme of the European Commission mentions the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs as one of its key objectives for 2006.
Prosperity, solidarity, security, better regulation and (...)

Better regulation initiative on fireworks and airbags

The European Commission has issued a new initiative on improved safety for fireworks and air bags as part of its better regulation agenda.
The European Commission issued a new initiative on better regulation concerning the safety for fireworks and air bags on 14 October 2005.
The Commission proposal concerns the replacement of 25 parallel national approval procedures for fireworks and air bags by a single EU directive. This initiative is seen as an example of better regulation that may lead (...)

Commission presents its five year strategy and 2005 work programme

On 26 January 2004, the European Commission announced its strategic objectives for 2005-2009 period and its work programme for 2005.
Strategic Objectives 2005-2009
Strategic objectives are listed under four main headings:
Prosperity (economic growth, competitiveness, higher productivity, more jobs),
Solidarity (social justice, environmental protection, cohesion),
Security (Hague programme, fighting crime and terrorism, managing immigration, environmental and health risks),
Europe as (...)

Public consultation on weight indications on packed products

The Directorate General which deals with Entreprise and Industry of the European Commission has launched on Monday 24 January a public consultation on the metrological requirements in pre-packaging .
This consultation aims at simplifying the rules for producers while at the same time, understanding consumer concerns about weight indications on all packed products.
The Commission wants to bring existing European laws (both at national and European levels) into two main directives that would (...)

Milestones of the first EU Commissioner for Health

The first EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne, has reviewed the achievements of his term in office, 1999-2004.
" Health and consumer protection policy is an area where citizens expect to see tangible benefits from the European Union. The safety of food and other products, protection of their health and their rights as consumers are topics that touch the every-day lives of citizens. I was acutely aware of this five years ago when I took up the post as the very (...)

Speeches from health Commissioners, June 2004

Mr David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, gave a speech in the European Health Managers Association (EHMA) Annual Conference in Berlin on the 23rd June 2004.
The speech, titled "Enabling health - Empowering citizens", mentions some of the Commission achivements on health of the past years and emphasizes the necessity of empowering people to assume responsibility for their health.
Byrne also gave a speech in June on "The role of diet: How to inform consumers" (...)

Consumer safety: guidelines to keep dangerous products off EU

The European Commission has adopted guidelines (attached to this article) for improving the functioning of the EU’s Rapid Information System on dangerous consumer products (RAPEX).
The RAPEX system was recently strengthened by the coming into force on 15 January of the new revised General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC) which introduced new obligations for businesses to alert the authorities to dangerous products.
The RAPEX guidelines clarify Member State authorities’ (...)

EU list of hazardous non-food products

The European Commission has started to publish a weekly alert notice on product safety issues across the EU.
On 15 January 2004 the revised General Product Safety Directive came into force. The European Commission generally receives two to four safety alerts from Member States every week through the EU-wide ’rapid alert system’, called RAPEX. The type of products most often cited in these alerts are toys followed by other products aimed at children. The concern for most of these products (...)

Byrne demands advertising industry more self-regulation

Speaking at the World Federation of Advertisers on 28 October, Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne reminded the audience of the advances made in the area of self-regulation but stressed the need for continued efforts.
Among the problem areas, Mr Byrne listed the differences in the levels of compliance with advertising codes across the Member States, as well as the difficulty in controlling certain advertising methods by code-owners.
SPEECH/03/495 David BYRNE European Commissioner (...)

ECJ blow to Commission decision on marketing of anti-obesity drugs

The ECJ has annuled the Commission decision to withdraw national marketing authorisations of medicinal products for human use which contain, inter alia, certain amphetamine-like anorectic agents used in anti-obesity drugs.
The Commission opinions, dated 1999, were based on the opinion by the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) which had found that those substances lacked efficacy according to the new scientific criterion of long-term efficacy of anti-obesity drugs.
The (...)

EP Recommendation on Stock-farming and Damaging Substances

Karl Erik OLSSON (ELDR, S) will be putting forward a draft legislative resolution on prohibition of substances with hormonal or thyrostatic action and beta-agonists in stock-farming.
MEPs in the committee argue that the precautionary principle should be applied to safeguard consumers’ health in view of the perceived danger posed by this substance, which may be carcinogenic.
However, they say that exceptions could be made for the treatment of non-farm animals, i.e. animals not used for (...)

Draft Agenda DG SANCO: Network of Competent Authorities, Health Information and Knowledge

First Meeting of the Network of Competent Authorities: Health Information and Knowledge Strand Community Action Programme on Public Health, Luxembourg, 10 July 2003 (10.00 - 17.00).
For more information, please contact the European Commission, Filomena Lopo.

ECJ Rules that Pensioners are Entitled to Treatment Abroad

The European Court of Justice ruled on February 25 that pensioners are entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses incurred abroad even if they result from a chronic or pre-existing medical condition.
This was the judgement of the Court in Case C-326/00 (Idryma Koinonikon Asfaliseon (IKA) -v- Vasileios Ioannidis), in which the Court decided that: "A Member State may not subject payment of the medical expenses of a pensioner who has visited another Member State either to authorisation or (...)

Centrally Authorised Medicines Should Generally Bear One Single Trade Name

In its judgement of 10 December 2002, the Court of First Instance annulled the decision of 1st March 2000, that had refused to vary the name and package layout of a centrally authorised medicine.
The reason for the annulment is that the decision was not sufficiently motivated. On the merits, the Court states that the letter and spirit of Regulation 2309/93 suggests that a Community marketing authorisation will contain as a general rule only one name.
That name can be varied by adding (...)

Parliament adopts final reports on food additives, flavourings and enzymes

8 July the European Parliament adopted legislative package on four draft regulations. The new procedures are supposed to assist the free movement of food within the EU and give better health and consumer protection.
The aim of the 4 draft reports is to simplify and update EU rules for authorising food additives, flavourings and enzymes.
A common authorisation procedure
The first regulation lays down an EU-level common authorisation procedure for additives, enzymes and flavourings and is (...)

ALDE Public Hearing on Efficient Food Labelling in Fighting Obesity

On 11 June the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) held a public hearing on the issue of food labelling in relation to obesity.
On 11 June the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) held a public hearing on the issue of food labelling in relation to obesity- organized by MEPs Magor Imre Csibi and Jules Maaten.
The speakers were Basil Mathioudakis from the European Commission (EC), Kees de Winter from European Consumers’ Organization-> (BEUC), Sabine (...)

Germany supports the Traffic Light Scheme

The German minister for Consumer Protection Horst Seehofer expresses support for the Traffic Light Scheme after poll results.
After the United Kingdom (UK) introduced the Traffic Light Scheme, convinced of its benefits in guiding consumers’ food choices based on available evidence, now Germany finds supporting evidence for its advantages.
A poll, conducted on behalf of the German Ministry of Consumer Protection, has showed that more that half of the respondents would be influenced, when (...)

**Updated** Food additives such as ’Azo dyes’ require a warning label.

This article has been updated in May 2008 following the vote in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee of the food additives proposal.
In May 2008, the ENVI Committee in the European Parliament, voted in the second reading of the food additives proposal a requirement for an azo dye warning label following the publication of the Southampton Study. The Southampton Study linked six artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate to hyperactivity in (...)

The Commission delays decision on Amflora approval

On 7 May 2008, the European Commission delayed decisions on whether to allow European farmers to grow numerous types of genetically modified crops, including the Amflora potato.
This genetically modified potato produces unusually large quantities of starch and contains two controversial marker genes linked to the risk of increasing drug resistance.
On 17 February 2008 the EU Agriculture Council did not approve the application and the Commission was thus the one in charge of taking the (...)

Which? warns about cartoons labelled in unhealthy food

Which?, the largest consumer body in the UK, has published the Cartoon Heroes and Villains report to reveal how these characters are used to push children towards foods high in fat, sugar or salt.
The report was launched on 9 August 2007 and agrees with the results of a survey conducted by Which? on 21 August 2007, showing that 75% of parents feel that their efforts to make their children eat healthier are undermined by this kind of labelling.
http://www.which.co.uk/files/applic... Which? (...)

New health and nutrition claims guidelines for Australia and New Zealand

Food Standards Australia New Zealand- an independent bi-national agency responsible for setting food standards - is developing new standards to regulate nutrition and health claims.
The agency has procduced a Preliminary Final Assesment Report which is now open to an additional round of consultation.
Conceptual framework
According to the Report, claims will be classified as nutrition content claims, general level health claims, and high level health claims. Nutrition content claims are (...)

Where’s the fruit in food and beverages advertised to children?

Over half of the most highly advertised children’s food and beverage products that clearly show fruit on their packaging, contain no fruit at all, according to the ’Where’s the fruit?’ study released in the U.S.
The study, which focuses on TV adverts of food and beverages which are targeted at children, was carried out by the Prevention Institute, a non-profit center that aims to improve public health. The brands used for the study were the identified as the (...)

New Which? report exposes UK companies who market junk food to children

The new campaign report, entitled "Fables: Exploding industry myths on responsible food marketing to kids", names and shames UK food companies who are targeting children as consumers of junk food.
This research, published by Which? in November 2006, reveals that leading food companies in the UK are increasingly marketing junk food to children, despite concerns about rising rates of obesity and diet-related disease.
According to the independent consumer protection group Which?, many of these (...)

*Updated*Promotion of healthy food in Latvia’s schools

The Latvian government has introduced thougher limits to the availability of unhealthy foods at schools and kindergardens by establishing nutrient profiles.
Existing health and safety legislation regarding schools and kindergardens, introduced by the Ministry of Health, has been amended to include reference to the availability of junk food in these settings.
According to recent data, the food for sale in educational institutions has become more and more unhealthy. As a direct consequence, (...)

British Retail Consortium Debate - Retailer Action or just Distraction?

EPHA participated in a debate with the food industry on healthy eating issues, organised by the British Retail Consortium.
EPHA took the opportunity to raise the issue of independent development of nutritional profiling by food manufacturers and retailers.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) held a lunchtime debate in the European Parliament on 4 October 2006, chaired by MEP Linda McAvan. Representatives from retailers such as Asda, Tesco, Marks & Spencers, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s were (...)

Industry’s New Marketing Rules - The Latest Stunt?

Worrying initiatives are being launched in the current debate on advertising and marketing to children.
The latest action of the food and drink industry, as led by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), is a new Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communications.
The framework represents a further effort by industry to self-regulate.
However, the ability of industry to self-regulate has been repeatedly been called into question by scientists, academics, NGOs and (...)

Protecting Children from Internet and TV marketing - Calls for Action

Children are being targeted by junk food manufacturers through internet advertising, chatrooms, text messages and "advergames" on websites, according to a report from the International Obesity Task Force.
The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) report details how new forms of advertising are increasingly being employed which bypass parental control to target children directly.
Exploitative marketing techniques is an growing reality. The increasing use of the internet among chidren, (...)

Eighth Plenary Meeting of the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health

On 19 September 2006, the members of the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health met for the eighth plenary meeting.
Robert Madelin, Director General of the European Commission’s DG SANCO, chaired and opened the plenary meeting of the Platform.
EPHA’s Lara Garrido Herrero and Eimear O’Loughlin both attended the morning session, while Eimear attended the afternoon session.
A full report of this meeting is available below.
The EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and (...)

EFSA Conference on Health and Nutrition Claims, November 2006

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will hold a scientific conference on health and nutritional claims, in Bologna, November 8-10.
The conference aims to explain EFSA’s scientific role within the context of new EU legislation on nutrition and health claims.
The emphasis of the three-day conference will be on the advantages and limitations of different systems for nutritional profiling as well as on the scientific substantiation of claims.
Attendance is limited to 200 people. As EFSA (...)

**Updated** WHO European Ministerial Conference on Obesity, November 2006

The WHO European Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity, organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe and hosted by the Government of Turkey, took place in Istanbul on 15-17 November 2006.
The Conference aimed to place obesity high on the public health and political agendas, in order to foster greater awareness and high-level political commitment towards action and to promote international and intersectoral partnerships.
During the Conference, (...)

Report Highlights Cost Factors in Choosing Healthy Foods

Healthy eating costs more in convenience stores, according to a recent report on the cost of healthy eating and specialised diets in Ireland.
The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) have released a report on the cost of healthy eating and specialised diets in Ireland, which focuses on the varying costs of healthy foods.
The report is the most comprehensive review of specialised diets and food costs that has been carried out in Ireland in the past decade. The study examines how (...)

World’s biggest 25 food companies not taking health seriously enough

A team of researchers from City University London’s centre for food policy compared the recommendations of the WHO’s global strategy on diet, physical activity and health with the actions of 25 major players in the food industry. The results are worrying.
Among others, the WHO strategy makes a series of nine recommendations to the food industry on measures to improve diet and promote a healthy lifestyle.
The Report ‘The Food Industry, Diet, Physical Activity and Health: a Review (...)

Breast feeding on the EU agenda

The Baby Feeding Law Group (BFLG) calls for action to promote breast feeding at UK and European levels.
Call for action on the Uk health and education bill
With regard to a United Kingdom health and Education bill which would allow business sponsorhip of education materials, they recently intensified action and sent several letters to several Minsiters and Secretaries of State ( Health - Patricia Hewitt, Public Health Minister, Caroline Flint and Education and skills, Ruth Kelly). They warn (...)

*UPDATED* European Commission consultation on labelling

*UPDATED with the publication of a report from the European Commission.* The European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protectionlaunched a consultation to review a number of labelling issues.
In order to increase consistency between the proposals they plan to submit, they have decided to launch a consultation with key stakeholders.
EPHA responded to the consultation (see attached document)
Report on the responses: Labelling: Competitiveness, Consumer information and (...)

Report on marketing of foods to children

The independent consumer protection group Which? has recently published a report entitled "Childcatchers: the tricks used to puch unhealthy food to your children".
The report identifies more than 40 different marketing methods used to encourage children to eat foods high in fat, sugar and salt, ranging from product placement in films to text (or SMS) marketing.
The report also higlights the need for tighter controls in this area that address all forms of advertising and promotion to (...)

Transatlantic approaches to tackle obesity and diet-related disease

The European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC) and the Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) organised a conference on “Generation Excess II: a review of transatlantic approach to tackling obesity and diet related disease” on 1-2 December 2005 in Brussels.
The conference brought together a variety of stakeholders and regulators to consider what actions have to be taken in US and Europe to tackle obesity.
The first day the discussion concentrated on where we stand now in (...)

Final results of the TRUST project

The partners of the project ¨Food Risk Communication and Consumers’ Trust in the Food Supply Chain-TRUST" presented their research findings on the final series of dissemination meetings in Brussels.
The main conclusions from the project were:
that consumer decision in food hazard is mostly affected by emotional factors and perception of shared values rather than socio-economic variables;
consumers do not exploit their potential to influence the market and protect their own safety; (...)

Consumers ask for more objective information on on food products

The results of a qualitative survey (in French) on consumer attitudes and expectations towards labelling carried out in 28 European Countries (25 Member States, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland) by the European Commission shows that European consumers are confused between nutritional information and marketing claims on food products.
The results of this survey are of particular importance as a Commission proposal for a Regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods is going through (...)

*UPDATED* Consultation on the revison of the Directive on Infant Formula

The Directive on Infant Formulae is now published.
According to IBFAN, the main shortcomings of the Directive are related to the marketing of infant formulae and follow-on formulae. Under the new Directive, the European Commission has the power to adopt legislation on specialized foods (including baby foods) without having to consult the EU Parliament. The framework might be harmful as health can be undermined by marketing practices without the direct consultations with the EU Parliament. (...)

EU institutions react on Organic Food and Farming

The Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament has adopted in February an own initiative report by MEP Marie-Helene Aubert (Greens/EFA, FR) calling for more financial and institutional support for organic farming in Europe.
This follows the European Commission Communication: "European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming" (COM (2004) 415) issued in June 2004.
In December 2002 a working document entitled "Analysis of the possibility of a European Action Plan for organic food and (...)

French NGOs demonstrate against irradiation of food

Irradiation of food is permitted in the European Union according to legislative guidelines.
A number of French NGOs will demonstrate outside irradiation facilities on 5 March 2005 to indicate their strong concerns about potential danger from food irradiation and the lack of proper informaiton for consumers. Action Consommation, Agir Pour l’Environnement, Les Amis de la Terre - France, Association Léo Lagrange pour la Défense des Consommateurs, ATTAC - France, Biocoop Bure-Stop, (...)

MEPs discuss plans to reform EU sugar subsidies

In a meeting at the European Parliament of the stakeholder networks and organisations concerned with the reform of the EU-sugar regime organised by the European Food Sovereignty Platform and the Green Group/EFA on 29 November 2004, the needs of European society and developing countries were discussed.
This meeting was organised on the eve of the hearing on the proposed sugar reform in the EP agriculture, development and international trade committees.
The EU will have to reduce subsidies (...)

WHO launches new campaign: 5 key actions for safer food

The second global forum of Food Safety Regulators met 12-14 October in Bangkok, Thailand. Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 food safety regulators from over 100 countries attended the forum entitled "Building Effective Food Safety Systems" .
"The burden of death and disease from food borne disease is huge, and yet, a better organisation and communication between authorities along the entire (...)

Campaign for GMO free zones launched

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Friends of the Earth (FoE) launched a joint campaign in Strasbourg on 14 September that aims to protect traditional crops from the consequences of the introduction of new genetic technologies.
The AER and FoE will lobby, among other things, for a European legal framework on the coexistence of traditional and transgenic crops as well as a legal recognition of GMO - free zones in Europe.
The two groups call for several measures to be implemented (...)

EU and US Laws on food labelling for common allergens

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) has been adopted by the US Government and will come into force on 1 January 2006. It is designed to help consumers to easily identify safe and unsafe foods.
The Act requires food labels to identify in plain English if the product contains any of the eight major food allergens responsible for over 90% of all allergic reactions- milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soybeans. The law covers all (...)

First meeting of DG Sanco’s "Obesity Round Table"

On 20 July 2004, the Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection (DG Sanco) of the Euroepan Commission organised the first meeting of the Obesity Round Table, with the aim of providing a forum for open and informal discussions on approaches to tackle the obesity epidemic.
In his introductory statement, Robert Madelin, Director General and Chairman of the Round Table, underlined that obesity is to be considered as a core health issue and, as such, it will be a high priority for the (...)

Recommendation to reduce salt intake in the population

Excessive salt intake raises the risk of high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of stroke and premature death from cardiovascular diseases - warn the scientists from two British organisations: Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and Consensus Action on Salt and Health.
The current public health recommendations suggest that salt intake should be reduced from 9-12 to 5-6 grams per day for adults. Clinical trials demonstrate a clear link between salt reduction and the (...)

Spanish government to reconsider GMO policy

The new Environment Minister, Cristina Narbona, announced on 24 June 2004 that she will consult independent researchers before deciding if Spain should continue growing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
A joint inquiry has been set up by the agriculture and environment ministries in order to consult the widest possible spectrum of scientific advice.
For more information in this issue, go to the DG Research news service, (...)

BMA calls for further research to address public concerns over GM foods

More research and continued surveillance is still needed in key areas to address public concerns over the potential risks posed to human health and the environment by genetically modified (GM) food, says an updated position statement from the BMA’s Board of Science.
The BMA statement is prepared following a review of available evidence and takes account of a spectrum of views on the safety of GM food that were expressed at a round table meeting of experts.
Sir David Carter, Chairman of the (...)

Monsanto gives up further research on GMO wheat

Agricultural multinational Monsanto announced on 11 May 2004 that they have given up on further development or open field trials of its genetically engineered "Roundup Ready" wheat.
This follows similar announcement in 2003 on the withdrawal from the development of pharmaceutical crops.
Greenpeace says that it’s a hard-won victory for every environmental group, every consumer, every cyberactivist who has said "no" to genetically engineered foods."
Greenpeace believes that Monsanto’s (...)

MEPs call for stronger sanctions on food safety

MEPs are calling for closer monitoring and criminal sanctions on safety, labelling and inspection of animal feed products.
On 9 March 2004, the Environment Committee will give a 1st reading to a report by MEP Marit PAULSEN (ELDR, S) on the draft Regulation on official feed and food controls.
After a number of food scares such as BSE and salmonella, the EU has prioritised safety of the food chain. This new draft regulation would bring together several existing pieces of legislation covering (...)

Industry to challenge EU food suplements directive

UK industry has challenged the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC before the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
On Friday 30th January 2004, the UK Health Food Manufacturers Association, together with the UK National Association of Health Stores, and with support from UK Consumers for Health Choice and the Alliance for Natural Health , won a legal ruling from the High Court in London that allowed them to take a challenge to the legality and proportionality of the Food Supplements Directive (...)

EPHA position paper on nutrition and health claims

The European Commission has proposed a Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods and the draft text is being discussed by the European Parliament and the Council. The aim of the Regulation is to limit misleading or confusing marketing claims on food products and help consumers to make informed choices about their food purchases and diet.
EPHA has extensively consulted its members organisations and produced a position paper on the draft Regulation, highlighting the importance (...)

Hearing at the European Parliament on food claims, 8 January 2004

MEP Dr. Renate Sommer, rapporteur for the PPE group is organising a public hearing in the European Parliament on 8 January 2003 on the draft Regulation on nutrition and health claims made on food. Speakers include Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner David Byrne and representatives of consumers, retailers and the food industry.
The draft programme and registration form are available for (...)

Uk launches consultation on food ads to children

The obesity time bomb prompts new debate in the UK
The Food Standards Agency launches an online consultation with British consumers to explore the efficacy of banning advertsing specifically targeted at children.
This follows the publication of a new report by the FSA which shows a direct link between advertsing, and purchasing and consumption of food products.
The FSA rightly stresses that advertising is not just about television images, but also includes radio, text messages, (...)

Commissioner Byrne speaks on food claims

On 9 October, Commissioner David Byrne gave a speech at the European Parliament Intergroup on Commercial Communications.
At the end of his speech, he mentioned the proposal for a Regulation on the use of health and nutrition claims on foods, adopted by the Commission in July.
Commissioner Byrne said that the proposal on health claims was necessary when "bringing forward a general proposal on unfair commercial practices".
He made clear that the aim of the proposal was to eliminate "not (...)

Chronic stress and obesity

New research published in September 2003 suggests a link between chronic stress and obesity.
Prof. Mary F. Dallman (University of California, San Francisco) published her findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Tests on rats suggest that high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods inhibit the release of stress hormones. Chronic stress can lead to a constant urge to eat such foods.
The findings have been welcomed by the scientific community, which has called for further (...)

New amendment on food labelling Directive improves consumer information

The Council and the European Parliament adopted an amendment to the EU food labelling Directive on 29 September.
The Commission has announced that the amendment will ensure that consumers are informed of the complete contents of foodstuffs subject only to a very limited number of derogations.
Commission’s press release.
See EPHA’s related article: "Labelling of ingredients of foodstuffs tightened (...)

International Biosafety Protocol enters into force

On Thursday 11 September 2003 the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety gives countries the right to bar imports of live GM organisms (GMOs) - plants, animals, bacteria or viruses - which they believe carry environmental or health risks.
More than 50 countries across the world have ratified the protocol which was developed by the UN Convention on biological diversity. Signatories now have the right to bar bar imports of live GMOs from other nations which have also ratified. If government of the (...)

Commission Proposal on Misleading Food Claims

Last Wednesday 16 July the Commission adopted a proposal that could spell the beginning of the end for well-known advertising slogans and claims used by food and pharmaceutical companies across the EU.
The proposal harmonises rules concerning vague or misleading claims used by advertisers in the food industry.
As well, this proposal outlines a greater degree of precision in the labelling and marketing of foods and health products.
EURO COOP, the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, (...)

Labelling of ingredients of foodstuffs tightened up

MEP Christa KLASS (EPP-ED, D) member of EP’s Environment and Health Committee, tabled on 1st July 2003 a draft legislative resolution broadly approving the Council’s common position (see timeline of the process below) for amending the Labelling Directive (2000/13/EC) as regards indication of the ingredients present in foodstuffs.
The Council’s commom position had incorporated many of the changes demanded by the EP at first reading. However, Ms Klass included an amendment on the list of (...)

’Coexistence’ of GM and Conventional Crops

Scientists, farmers and policymakers convened at the invitation of Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler and his research counterpart Philippe Busquin for a ’round table’ on coexistence - how to manage the production of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops on the same farm or between neighbouring farms on May 2003.
The talks focused on two kinds of GM crops - maize and oilseed rape - that are candidates to be planted across Europe if a de facto moratorium on introducing (...)

Lamy Discusses CAP Reform with NGOs

EPHA participated last 8-9 May in a meeting organised by Solidar, Oxfam International and CIDSE.
In this meeting NGOs told European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy that the EU, and others, have so far failed to deliver on their promises to make development the primary focus of the current WTO, Doha Development round negotiations.
Lamy recognized that developing countries are sometimes put under unacceptable pressure in WTO negotiations.
He stated that the EU categorically rejected these (...)

MEPs Seek Ban on Additive E 425 Konjac

The EP adopted a report from Marit Paulsen (ELDR, Sweden) proposing a ban on the use of the food additive E425 konjac in jelly products, consumed primarily by children. This first-reading Opinion (adopted under the co-decision procedure) is in line with the European Commission’s draft amendment to Directive 95/2 , aiming to introduce a permanent ban on this food additive.
This initiative follows reports that consumption of minicups containing the additive pose a risk of death by (...)

European Commission publishes final report of Study Q and Equality of Access to Healthcare Services: HealthQUEST

The European Commission has published the final report of the Study Q and Equality of Access to Healthcare Services: HealthQUEST
Aims
The project led by the European Health Management Association (EHMA) with the European Centre Vienna had these main objectives:
To identify and analyse barriers of access to health care services which are faced by vulnerable groups in society, and especially those most exposed to social exclusion;
To review the various policy initiatives taken by the Member (...)

Conference on the role of the internet in medicine

The University of Vienna will hold final conference of the project “Virtually Informed: The Internet in the medical field” on 25-26 January 2008.
The conference is organised by the Department of Social Studies and its aim is to investigate the role and impact of the World Wide Web as a health information source in the Austrian medical context.
Concretely, issues as the notion of “informed patient” will be contrasted with the doubts of policy makers about people’s (...)

*UPDATED* Hearing on RIP cigarettes in the European Parliament

*This article has been updated with the agenda of the RIP hearing.*
On the 28 February 2007, Arlene McCarthy, Chairwoman of the European Parliament Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, hosts and chairs a hearing on RIP cigarettes - an ignition propensity standard for cigarettes.
The aims of the Hearing is to demonstrate the extent of cigarette-related fires across Europe and to identify possible solutions at EU level. During the event the EU RIP (Reduced Ignition Propensity) (...)

Substantial improvements in road safety in France and Belgium

New initiatives on road safety in France and Belgium have achieved positive results with a major decrease in injuries and death. The changing trends have been highlighted by the European Transport Safety Council.
In both countries, traditionally performing very poorly in this regard, new road safety policies have been devised in the last years. They are focused on measures to improve driver behaviour such as increased police enforcement and higher traffic fines.
As a result, traffic (...)

Health care data protection in Hungary

Márta Faur contributes to the book "Data Protection in Hungary", with an article on "Data Protection in Health Care", (page 9).
"The aim of this paper is to present the importance of, and the need for, securing protection for data processed in the sphere of health care, and to indicate the areas in which data processing may threaten to be injurious to individual’s rights."
The book is edited by Dániel Máté Szabó and published by the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Budapest 2003.
ISBN: 963 (...)

Two people die from vCJD in Spain

Two people have died in Spain after contracting the human form of "mad cow disease", variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) that is is thought to be transmitted in infected meat and bone. Since 2000, more than 800 Spanish have suffered from different types of vCJD.
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) was first found in humans in 1995 and is thought to be transmitted in infected meat and bone. Since 2000, more than 800 Spanish have suffered from different types of vCJD but the only (...)

EU Members States say yes to RIP Cigarettes

On 29 November 2007, the EU RIP Alliance obtained Member State endorsement of mandating cigarette makers to only sell self-extinguishing cigarettes (RIP cigarettes). On behalf of the EU RIP Alliance, Florence Berteletti illustrates with enthusiasm why this is a very significant victory, its details, and what is next to be done.
On 29 November 2007, the EU member states overwhelmingly endorsed the EC plans to draw up proposals for a standard to combat the leading cause of home fire (...)

Major review of child safety in 18 countries

On 20 November 2007, the European Child Safety Alliance plans to launch a major review of child safety in 18 European countries.
The aim of this launch is to communicate the safety review findings to influential policy makers and stakeholders at both the EU and national level so that they can take action. The launch will take place in the European Parliament and will be hosted by MEP Arlene McCarthy, Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection.
In addition to (...)

Commission continues infringement procedure against Finland over oral tobacco

The European Commission has decided to continue the infringement procedure against Finland due to its non-compliance with the Court judgement that confirmed Finland’s failure to comply with a Directive prohibiting oral tobacco from being placed on the market.
In July 2007, The European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion to Finland for non-compliance with Article 8 of Directive 2001/37/EC on the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco products.
In addition, the Commission believes (...)

**Updated** Mattel recalls dangerous Chinese toys

This article has been updated with the Press release about Toy Safety(12 September 2007), the Third Mattel recall (September 2007) and the European Commission press release to carry out two month review of toy safety controls (September 2007)
The toys enterprise Mattel Inc. has launched a third large-scale recall of dangerous toys made in China on September 2007, after the two previous ones of August, that highlights the risks of lead pigments and magnets for children.
The third Mattel (...)

Report against baby milk advertising

National Childbirth Trust (NCT), Save the Children and UNICEF UK, published a report, A weak formula for legislation: how loopholes in the law are putting babies at risk, to ask UK Government to stop formula milk promotion, on 7 August 2007.
The report was released during the World Breastfeeding Week and coincided with the Government and the Food Standards Agency’s current review of existing legislation.
The three organisations are calling on the UK Government to strengthen the 1995 UK law (...)

New sunscreen labelling for a better protection from the sun

The European Commission, DG SANCO, has launched a new sunscreen labelling regime, composed of four pictograms and a UVA logo, to inform consumers of the dangers linked to sun exposure. The presentation took place on 9 July 2007 in Brussels, Belgium.
The information initiative responds to an EU Commission recommendation on sunscreen products adopted in September 2006 and provides consumers with new clearer labelling that will be visible on the market in summer 2007.
Furthermore, the EU (...)

How to help employees to stop smoking?

A recent report by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE): "Workplace Health Promotion: How to help employees to stop smoking”, highlighted the benefits of smoke free workplaces and propose guidances to help employees to stop smoking.
Conservative estimates that 70,000 adults die from passive smoking every year in the EU. And passive smoking in the workplace has been estimated, in the UK alone, to cause the deaths of two people each working day (...)

*UPDATED* European smoking bans - Evolution of the legislation

More and more countries in Europe are adopting stricter legislation on smoking in public places. This article will be updated regularly with information gathered by EPHA members, such as the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) and the European Respiratory Society on the progress of European countries in implementing anti-smoking legislation.
Introduction
In March 2004 Ireland became the first country in the world to impose an outright ban on smoking in workplaces. Irish (...)

*UPDATED* The Revised "Television Without Frontiers" Directive - the public health concerns

A proposal to update the EU’s 1989 "TV without Frontiers" Directive, to keep pace with rapid market developments in Europe’s audiovisual sector, was tabled by the European Commission in December 2005. Among other things, it will regulate advertising on television.
On 13 December 2005, after several public consultations, the European Commission adopted the legislative proposal for the revision of the “Television Without Frontiers” Directive (Directive 97/36/EC). The Commission (...)

Burning issues: RIP cemeteries or RIP cigarettes, which option is the EU going to take?

The European Union is falling behind other jurisdictions in terms of protecting its children and older citizens. One measure that would reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and fires, across Europe - an ignition propensity standard for cigarettes - have been implemented in other countries and should be introduced In Europe without delay.
In all countries where data is available, cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths. In the EU25, at least 1,000 people, including children and (...)

Towards stronger alcohol policies in Europe? The pressure is on in the UK and Finland

While European initiatives on Alcohol related harm and advertising on TV have been watered down, two calls for stronger alcohol control policies come from Member States: the Finnish government plans to implement a watershed to prevent alcohol advertising before 9pm and the UK Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs asserts the need for better alcohol control measures as education proves unsuccessful.
UK: the Advisory Council of the Misuse of Drugs calls for a prohibition of Alcohol (...)

Combating alcohol-related harm in Europe - evidence of effective and cost-effective measures

Two major reports have been published in June 2006: the World Health Organisation European Region Framework on Alcohol policy and the report ’Alcohol in Europe’
Both documents are released timely to contribute to the forthcoming EU Strategy on alcohol due to be adopted in September 2006. They give recommendations about cost-effective measures to tackle alcohol-related harm and abuses.
Alcohol in Europe
The report analysis the situation of alcohol in Europe: the health burden, the impact on (...)

Selling alcohol to young people: the age limits at stake

A research study carried out by the Dutch Foundation for Alcohol Prevention (STAP) concluded that age limits for the sales of alcoholic drinks are not respected in the Netherlands.
Young mystery shoppers visited 300 supermarkets and liquor shops in the Netherlands over and 86% of the teenagers managed to buy alcohol.
Under the ’Alcohol and Catering Law’, it is forbidden to sell alcoholic products to children below the age of 16; the age-limit for selling distilled spirits is 18 years. (...)

EU Health and Safety agency 2005 priorities: end of year review

In 2005 the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao set out to tackle noise and the impact on workers’ hearing, and the link with stress and accidents.
Other priorities were emerging risks, safety and health awareness in the new Member States, protecting young workers and the occupational safety and health implications of Europe’s ageing workforce.
Major information initiatives included:
A Europe-wide information campaign focusing on the risks of excessive noise at work (...)

Regulation of Television Advertising: the devil is in the detail

The European Commission is in the process of reviewing its regulatory approach to the audiovisual sector. A 2003 Communication the Commission announced three Focus Groups to be organised with experts.
Eurocare, an EPHA member, is part of the Focus Group 2 organised by the Commission which debates the level of detail in the regulation of advertising.
Eurocare has issued a document with comments and recommendations. You can download the document at the bottom of this article.
As the (...)

Improving safety of children’s toys

The European Commission’ s [DG Enterprise->DG Entreprises is revising the Toy Safety Directive (88/378/EEC). Two consumer organisations, ANEC and BEUC, have been involved in providing stakeholder input.
Both NGOs have a joint position to strengthen two major points :
The use of the comitology process (1) in order to make the directive very flexible. It will allow a more detailed directive on issues such as chemicals content, noise, speed of toys.
Regarding the use of chemicals in toys, (...)

Italy bans smoking in public places

An official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places has come into force in Italy on 10 January 2005. It aims to protect against passive smoking and deter those who pursue a habit that is calculated to kill 90,000 Italians a year.
The new law obliges restaurants, bars, offices and factories to prohibit tobacco use on their premises unless they are able to provide special sealed off rooms with smoke extractors. In reality, not many retailers will be able to fulfill this condition, making (...)

Cooperation and Immunisation needed to Control Infectious Diseases

Countries of the WHO European Region must scale up Immunisation programmes to help prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. This was the call made at the meeting of the Interagency Immunisation Coordinating Committee organised by WHO in Slovenia on October 21 2004.
Representatives of UNICEF, the World Bank, the Childrens Vaccine Program, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the United States Agency for (...)

Consultation on EU Action plan for Drugs

The European Commission has an open consultation for ideas from civil society for a communication on the EU Action Plan on drugs 2005 - 2008.
Nearly one in five of the EU population has used an illicit drug at least once and there are an estimated 1.5 million problem users. An increase in drugs and organised crime tops the list of fears among European citizens, with 69 % seeing it as the greatest threat to our society.
The Council of Ministers is currently discussing a new EU Drugs (...)

Commission publishes 1st report on implementation of Health and Safety Directives

In February 2004 the European Commission released a report on the how the Framework Directive of 1989 and 5 individual Directives on health and safety have been transposed into national law and applied.
The goal of health and safety legislation is to provide a minimum standard level playing field for companies and increase protection for workers. The report notes a structural change has taken place. Health and safety measures at the workplace are reported to have widely contributed towards (...)

Health trends in new EU Member States

A recent report by the Health Department of the London School of Economics and Institut des Sciences de la Santé offers an extensive study of health status in the new EU Member States. The report focuses on three main areas: the overall health trends in the new member states, the impact of health system financing in the CEE countries and the consequences of joining the European Union. EPHA members can read a report of the Report launch.
Lagging behind the "old" Member States
Of the ten new (...)

Eurocare Briefing: Five Facts about Alcohol and Health

This fact file will help you to understand the full extent of health problems arising from alcohol.
Many people are not fully aware of the extent of the health problems arising from alcohol.
Many people misunderstand the relationship between alcohol and reduced risk of heart disease.
Many people think that wine doesn’t cause health problems and that instead wine protects against heart disease.
1. Alcohol causes nearly 1 in 10 of all ill-health and premature death in Europe The World (...)

ECJ opinion in favour of French law on alcohol

On 11 March 2004, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the French ’Loi Evin’ restricting advertising of alcohol is in accordance with EU rules.
The opinion in C-262/02 Commission v France, and C-429/02 Bacardi v. France dealt with whether the French law pased the ’proportionality test’ — eg; whether it does beyond the minimum necessary to achieve the desired objectives.
Bacardi, whose legal bid was filed at the European Court of Justice by French (...)

EU survey on health, food, alcohol and safety - December 2003

A Eurobarometer survey published in December 2003 examines incidence of chronic illness, long-term treatment and dental health in the existing 15 countries of the EU. The European Commission’s report also provides more depth on health maintenance through doctor’s visits and various screening tests. Women’s health, safety and children’s safety are also examined in detail.
The sample reveals the prevalence of chronic illness across the EU, rheumatism/arthritis (22 %), allergies (18%), high (...)

Working with dangerous substances

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work organised a conference on the Safe use of dangerous substances in the workplace in Bilbao, Spain on 24 November 2003. Dangerous substances are found in nearly all workplaces and across the EU 28 million workers inhale fumes and vapours for at least a quarter of their working time, while between 6 and 9 million people are exposed to biological agents at work. Skin complaints, lung disorders and cancers are just some of the risks.
Conclusions (...)

Health and safety at work on the agenda

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched on 22 October a new online safety and health guide on dangerous substances as support for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work.
The guide covers all the main risks associated with working with dangerous substances and links to online information provided by more than 100 safety and health institutions across Europe.
The European Week for Safety and Health at Work is an information campaign designed to raise awareness (...)

Commission Backs Down on Pharmaceutical Data Collection Case

The European Commission has withdrawn its interim measures decision adopted on 3 July 2001 against IMS Health (IMS), the world leader in data collection on pharmaceutical sales and prescriptions.
A judgment from the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court, while recognising that IMS Health’s 1860 brick structure was protected by national copyright, now allows NDC Health (NDC) to market a brick structure which meets customers’ needs.
Therefore the Commission decided that there is no longer an (...)

Baby milk company condemned for illegal advertising direct to consumers

SMA Nutrition, part of Wyeth, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of infant formula milk, was last week fined a total of £26 000 ($41 900; €37 200) and ordered to pay costs of more than £34 000 after being convicted of six separate breaches of illegal advertising direct to consumers.
More info on this issue:
BMA article

EU research on health impact of tattoos and body piercings

The European Commision has released the results of research into the health risks and impact of tattoos and body piercing. Problems include the fact that many inks used in tattoos derive from car paint or writing inks and there is no data on safe use on skin. When health standards are disregarded, these practices can bring about viral infections such as hepatitis, HIV; bacterial and fungal infections; allergic reactions such as skin irritation and urticaria; malignant lesions such as (...)

Commission to Clamp Down on Unfair Commercial Practices

The European Commission is poised to table a new Framework Directive to plug loopholes in existing legislation and clamp down on unfair commercial practices.
In the proposal it is hoping to approve at its June 18 meeting, the Commission says it wants to establish an updated, flexible and harmonised consumer protection framework, on the one hand, and and promote good business practice across an enlarged EU, on the other.
The EU executive reckons that the promotion and guarantee of "fair (...)

Health professionals discuss opportunities to reduce health risks

Reducing health risks and promoting healthy lifestyles was a topic of much discussion during the meeting held on the 28/29 April 2003, of major European health professional groups hosted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Experts from the European fora of national medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing and midwifery associations attended the meeting.
The World Health Professions Alliance also sent their representatives to participate in the debates.
The (...)

Children encouraged to eat chocolate to ’earn’ sports equipment

The chocolate manufacturer Cadbury is launching a campaign to persuade children to buy 160m chocolate bars, containing nearly 2m kg of fat, in exchange for "free" sports equipment for their schools.
Cadbury says that the initiative, which has the backing of the Uk government, will help to tackle obesity. Consumer watchdogs and health organisations are furious at the move.
Full article from The (...)

The extent of pollution in people!

After having focused for decades on the pollution of air, water and earth, the scientific society have showed interest for other polluted places that had been ignored until today: people.
Last January, American researchers revealed that chemical contaminants have been found in the bodies of new Americans.
This project has been developed in collaboration between the School of Medicine of Mt Sinai (New York) and the NGOs Commonweal (California) and the Environmental Working Group (...)

Report on the Future of EU Consumer Protection

The European Parliament welcomed the Commission Green Paper on the future of EU consumer protection but MEPs emphasised the need for simpler, more understandable and better focused legislation that would be easier to enforce. The Parliament in particular noted that, despite progress, internal market legislation as a whole is inconsistent and not transparent enough to enjoy consumer confidence.
More information (...)

Community and National Measures in Relation to Breast Implants

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee is urging the EU Member States to ban direct advertising to the public for breast implants or breast implant operations, as France has done.
Since breast implants always entail risks, MEPs demand that objective, non-commercial information be provided through national public health services instead. These demands are made in a non-legislative draft resolution by Catherine STIHLER (PES, UK) on a Commission paper on breast implants .
While (...)

Alert on Genetic Tests Advertised Via the Internet

The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies has issued an statement on advertising genetic tests via the Internet.
There is a proliferation of internet-based offers of genetic tests aimed especially at establishing fatherhood as well as tests for predisposition to several diseases - heart diseases, diabetes, etc.
Advertising is getting increasingly aggressive and pervasive in Europe; in some countries this can even be found in popular chain stores, service stations, (...)

The European Voice talks Information to Patients

The European Voice newspaper’s front page on 18 September attempted to shed some light on the proposals from the European Commission contained within the Pharmaceutical Package due out at the end of October this year.
In the article, the European Voice, claims that a draft of the proposed amendments would allow pharmaceutical companies to publish more information than is currently available on their websites and in written media.
EPHA was quoted in the article, stating the point that "it (...)

Intellectual Property and Competition in European and global pharmaceutical markets

This article is a contribution from Health Action International (HAI) Europe, an EPHA member and is written by Sophie Bloemen.
For more information, please have a look at the HAI website
At last, the message is getting through to politicians and policy-makers that an inflexible system of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) can have a detrimental effect on public health systems. In its current form, the IPR model has produced some unwelcome consequences for access to essential medicines (...)

On-line pharmacies raise safety fears

Recent research finds that a majority of prescription drug sites put people’s health at risk by operating without proper credentials.
On 20 August, MarkMonitor published the results of an investigation on the counterfeit/grey market for popular prescription drugs.
The investigation shows that:
Out of the 3,160 surveyed on-line pharmacies, only four had gone through an accreditation scheme
More than half did not secure customer data
Extremely low prices suggested that some of the (...)

European Medicines Agency Update - New Budget and Transparency Measures

EMEA Budget News for 2007
The European Community contribution to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) budget has been cut in 2007 EU budget discussions but not to the degree first feared.
Although the Agency had originally requested 46.32 million EUR, initial indications suggested that the Agency would receive only a small increase over the 2006 level of 34 million EUR.
However, the EMEA management board petitioned the European Parliament, expressing the concerns expressed by a great (...)

Marketing Practices and Accountability of Drug Companies Questioned

The Consumers International lobby group accused drugmakers of unscrupulous marketing practices by misleading physicians of a drug’s effectiveness and convincing consumers of the drug’s importance. The study revealed a "shocking" lack of transparency in the marketing practices of the world’s top-twenty drug companies.
In 2005 total global pharmaceutical sales grew 7 per cent at constant exchange rates, to $602 bn (€480 bn). The report identified an annual marketing spend of $60bn (€47bn). (...)

Tougher rules in the UK for advertising of pharmaceutical products

In February 2005, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched new, tougher guidance on advertising and promotion of medicines.
The key principle behind the guidelines is to prevent people from being misled by confusing advertising.
The main changes in the new guidance include:
Tougher measures against poor practice. In addition to any legal action which the Agency pursues over unlawful practice, it will also be publishing every review of an advert on its (...)

OECD calls for employment strategies to include social goals

The OECD Employment Outlook, a review of labour market trends and issues predicts some reduction in unemployment rates over the next two years. But the organisation urges governments to avoid taking too narrow an approach to job creation and to consider wider economic and social objectives as well.
The OECD figures show that the UK works an average 100 hours a year more than workers in the rest of the European Union and its employees have the least protection in the developed world except (...)

European Commission pushes for liberalisation of services

The European Commission has presented an ambitious and far-reaching proposal for a Directive to create a internal market in services.
The proposed Directive covers all services provided to consumers and businesses except services provided directly by public authorities for no remuneration, in fulfilment of their social, cultural, educational or legal obligations. It does not cover those services that are already covered by specific EU law, such as financial services, telecommunications and (...)

Seminar on re-processing medical devices safely, 28 January 2004

The European Association for Medical Device Reprocessing (EAMDR) is organising seminar in the European Parliament in Brussels on 28 January 2003. The event aims to shed some light on the various aspects of this sometimes technical and complex issue.
Some devices, both single-use medical devices and those marketed as reusable, have been reprocessed in-house by hospitals and other treatment facilities for decades. An industry of third-party medical device reprocessing companies has developed (...)

Pharmaceuticals review - Parliamentary vote - November 2003

MEPS vote against advertising but ask for clarity on the provision of information
In early November 2003 the Parliament’s Environment Committee began to discuss its response to the review of the Pharmaceutical’s legislation.
There are three proposals under consideration:
Regulation 2309/3 concerns the provision of a legislative framework for medicinal products.
2 Directives: 2001/83 on human medicine, and 2001/82 concerning vetinary medicines
The Committee retabled amendments rejected (...)

Appeal to MEPs on non-proprietary names for drugs

Medicines In Europe Forum publish a paper on international nonproprietary names (INNs)
The Medicines in Europe Forum have a published paper in English and French calling for Members of the European Parliament to vote for the international nonproprietary names of all substances to be clearly written on packaging items and information leaflets.
According to the current EU draft legislation this will not be the case with all substances.
To read the paper please click on the attached (...)

Commission Communication on the G10 Medicines Initiative

Last 1 July, the Commission adopted a Communication on the G10 Medicines initiative.
Mr Erkki Liikanen, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enterprise and the Information Society, delivered the speech "A Stronger European-based Pharmaceutical Industry for the Benefit of the Patient" in the presentation of the Communication to the plenary session of the European Parliament.
The Communication pursues five broad themes:
Benefits to Patients.
Developing a competitive (...)

DG Trade News: European Commission regrets US decision to file WTO case on GMOs as misguided and unnecessary

From EU Trade News, a service of the European Commission, Directorate General for Trade:
Brussels, 13/05/2003 - The US announced today their intention to request WTO consultations on the EU’s authorisation system for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The European Commission regrets this move as legally unwarranted, economically unfounded and politically unhelpful.
EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said: "The EU’s regulatory system for GMO’s authorisation is in line with WTO rules: (...)

Competent Authorities Meeting for Medical Devices

The medical devices Competent Authorities met in Athens, under the Greek Presidency, on the 16 and 17 January 2003.
21 countries were represented: European Union, future member States and EFTA countries. Issues discussed include:
Enlargement of the EU,
Commission Communication on medical devices,
Safety concerns presented by medical software,
Transparency and
Patient (...)