The 2030 consumer agenda: Strengthening consumer protection, competitiveness and sustainable growth – commission.europa.eu

Report on the European Commission’s 2030 Consumer Agenda

The European Union’s consumer base, comprising 450 million individuals, contributes over 51% of the EU’s GDP. In response to rising living costs and evolving digital market practices, the European Commission has established the 2030 Consumer Agenda. This strategic framework is designed to guide EU consumer policy for the next five years, replacing the 2020-2025 action plan. The agenda is structured around four key priorities with significant alignment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Priorities and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Completing the Single Market for Consumers

   This priority focuses on lowering costs for consumers, increasing opportunities for businesses, and improving access to cross-border financial services.

   • SDG Alignment: This initiative supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering a competitive and robust economic environment. It also contributes to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring more equitable access to services and opportunities for all consumers across the Union.

2. Protecting Consumers in the Digital Environment

   Key actions include the proposal of a Digital Fairness Act (DFA) in 2026, with special protection for children. The agenda also aims to simplify rules for businesses, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen measures against online fraud.

   • SDG Alignment: These measures directly address SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by working to end abuse and exploitation of children online and by building effective, accountable institutions to combat fraud and ensure fair digital practices.

3. Promoting Sustainable Consumption

   The Commission will assist EU countries in applying laws that promote sustainable goods. It also aims to encourage the return of used goods, support second-hand markets, and foster innovative circular start-ups.

   • SDG Alignment: This priority is central to achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By promoting a circular economy, it also supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through reduced waste and more efficient resource management.

4. Ensuring Effective Enforcement and Redress

   This involves reforming the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, enhancing collaboration with national authorities, enforcing the General Product Safety Regulation, and cooperating with third countries to address product safety at its source.

   • SDG Alignment: Protecting consumers from unsafe products contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The focus on strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms reinforces SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), while international cooperation exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the EU’s 2030 consumer agenda addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its four key priorities. The identified SDGs are:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The agenda’s focus on completing the single market, boosting business opportunities, and promoting sustainable growth directly relates to fostering economic productivity and growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The emphasis on simplifying rules for businesses through digital tools and promoting “innovative circular start-ups” connects to fostering innovation and supporting enterprise development.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is explicitly addressed through the priority of “Promoting sustainable consumption,” which includes helping EU countries apply laws for sustainable goods, promoting the return of used goods, and encouraging second-hand markets.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The agenda’s commitment to protecting consumers through a “Digital Fairness Act,” ensuring “effective enforcement and redress,” and reforming regulations like the “Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation” aligns with the goal of building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s description of the 2030 consumer agenda, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article supports this by aiming to “boost opportunities for businesses” and complete the single market, which encourages competitiveness and innovation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises… to financial services… and their integration into value chains and markets. The agenda’s plan to “simplify rules for businesses” and promote “innovative circular start-ups” directly supports the growth and integration of such enterprises.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.1: Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. The entire priority of “Promoting sustainable consumption” is a direct implementation of this target at a regional level.
• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. This is addressed by the aim to “promote the return of goods that are no longer used, second-hand markets or innovative circular start-ups.”
• Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles. The goal of helping “EU countries apply EU laws that promote sustainable goods” implies an effort to increase consumer information and awareness.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The focus on “effective enforcement and redress” and strengthening “action against online fraud” aims to ensure consumers have access to justice.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The proposal of a “Digital Fairness Act,” the reform of the “Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation,” and working with national authorities are all actions aimed at making consumer protection institutions more effective and transparent.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several ways to measure progress towards its goals, which can serve as proxy indicators:

Indicators for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

• Implied Indicator: Growth in the number and economic value of second-hand markets and circular start-ups. The article’s goal to “promote… second-hand markets or innovative circular start-ups” suggests that tracking their growth would be a measure of success.
• Implied Indicator: Rate of return and reuse of goods. Progress on the aim to “promote the return of goods that are no longer used” could be measured by tracking the volume of products returned for reuse or recycling.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

• Implied Indicator: Enactment and implementation of new regulations. The proposal of a “Digital Fairness Act (DFA), to be proposed in 2026” and the “revision of the rules on market surveillance” are concrete legislative actions whose implementation can be tracked.
• Implied Indicator: Number of enforcement actions taken against online fraud and non-compliant products. The commitment to “strengthen action against online fraud” and ensure “effective enforcement” implies that the number of successful enforcement actions would be a key performance metric.

Indicators for SDG 8 & 9 (Economic Growth & Innovation)

• Implied Indicator: Reduction in administrative burden for businesses. The plan to “reduce administrative burden through digital tools” suggests that progress could be measured by surveying businesses or quantifying the time/cost savings achieved.
• Implied Indicator: Increase in cross-border financial services usage. The goal to “enhance access to cross-border financial services” implies that an increase in the volume or number of consumers using these services would be a measure of success.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: commission.europa.eu