The European Commission organises its third Annual Digital Consumer Event to reflect with the general public, academics, consumer and business associations, as well as authorities, on the problems consumers currently face in the digital transition.

The Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, will give the opening speech, followed by the chair and coordinators of the Committee for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament (IMCO).

The event will be the signing ceremony of the “Consumer Protection Pledge”, consisting of the commitments in the Product Safety Pledge + and the newly agreed "Digital Consumer Rights Commitments", by online marketplaces.

In addition, two panels will be organised to exchange with academics, consumer and business associations and national authorities on: 

• Addictive design of digital services: Stakeholders have raised concerns about specific interface designs and functionalities that aim to maximise the amount of time, money and engagement that consumers provide (e.g. infinite scrolling, autoplay, rewards for continued, engagement, notifications). What should be EU consumer policy’s response to the identified problems with addictive design? 
• Burden of proof: Are current rules on the burden of proof adequate in the digital area? Are there situations, in particular in the context of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, where it would be more effective to shift the burden towards the trader?

The event will take place in English without interpretation. 

It will be streamed on this page, so you can follow the event without registration. However, if you would like to be informed of updates and receive a reminder before the event, you can register from 11 October 2023.

Please see the agenda.