ANEC | Raising standards for consumers

🌐 Virtual Worlds, Real Risks: Are consumers protected in the #Metaverse? (ANEC & DIN Consumer Council webinar) 📅 26 March 2026 | ⏰ 15:00-16:00 (CET) The Metaverse and Extended Reality technologies are becoming part of consumers' everyday lives, yet little research has examined these environments from a #consumer perspective. A study commissioned by the DIN Consumer Council indicates a disconnect between potential risks and user perception. It refers to risks including #biometric #data collection, harassment, and addiction, and suggests that these may be underestimated by users. Michaela Hildebrandt, Project Manager at DIN Consumer Council, will present: • Key findings from the study • Identified #consumer #protection dimensions • An update on #standardisation work at ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24 👉 Join us: tinyurl.com/mucm52x8

🎉 Happy #WorldLiftDay In July 2025, a new European #standard that ANEC contributed to introduced the possibility of using certain lifts for evacuation of persons in emergency situations. For many persons with disabilities, evacuation in emergency situations has depended on assistance from others. EN 81-76 allows #lifts with specific characteristics to be used during #evacuation. It enables persons who cannot use stairs to escape safely and with greater independence, and introduces the possibility of unassisted self rescue through automatic evacuation operation. 👉 Discover more in our article: tinyurl.com/396ytnr5 🔗 Read our factsheet: tinyurl.com/264u2hvk #WorldElevatorDay #Accessibility #EvacuationLifts #Standardisation

As #WorldConsumerRightsDay 2026 concludes, ANEC reaffirms its determination to keep raising the bar for #consumer #protection and welfare, both in Europe and globally. Through its contributions to European and International #standardisation, ANEC looks to build a stronger, more resilient and more sustainable framework to aid #consumer confidence. Some tangible results: anec.eu/success-stories #WCRD2026 #SafeProducts #ConfidentConsumers #ProductSafety @isostandards #InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission @Consumers_Int @ITU

Product safety must protect all #consumers, including children, older persons and persons with disabilities. ANEC led a long-standing campaign to revise the European and International (EN/IEC 60335) series of electrical safety standards, so they reflect the needs of #vulnerable #consumers. As a result of our campaign, millions of electrical products bought by consumers this year will be safer than they would have otherwise been. #Inclusive #safety strengthens #consumer confidence. #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers #ProductSafety @isostandards @Consumers_Int

Children must be properly protected when travelling in vehicles. ANEC engages in the development and revision of #UN Regulation No. 129 “Enhanced Child Restraint Systems” to strengthen protection for young passengers across the EU. Read our leaflet “Protecting children in vehicles”: tinyurl.com/579ju6d9 #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers #ChildSafety @isostandards @Consumers_Int

As more #consumer products rely on #connectivity, #safety requirements must also address #cybersecurity risks. ANEC was actively involved in developing EN 18031 #standards series on cybersecurity requirements for radio equipment, helping to establish a baseline for safer #connected #devices. Read our factsheet “Will the new European Standards on Cybersecurity protect consumers?”: tinyurl.com/muabykxt #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers @isostandards @Consumers_Int

Strengthening #child #safety through European #standards is central to ANEC’s work. ANEC plays an active role in #standards on toys, child care articles, furniture, clothing and everyday household products to reduce choking, falls, strangulation, fire and other hazards. #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers #ChildSafety @isostandards @Consumers_Int

Effective #consumer protection must be based on reliable evidence. Together with #EuroSafe, ANEC highlights the importance of solid injury data to identify risks, improve #standards and prevent harm. See our infographic “European consumer safety needs solid injury data”: tinyurl.com/2kkhexcu #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers #ProductSafety @isostandards @Consumers_Int

#Unsafe and #non-compliant #products continue to circulate in the EU, particularly through #online #marketplaces and complex supply chains. ANEC argues that stronger #market #surveillance is essential to secure compliance with EU legislation and harmonised #standards. Read our ANEC position on the revision of the Market Surveillance Regulation (EU) 2019/1020: tinyurl.com/bdea6byy. #ProductSafety #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers @isostandards @Consumers_Int

The General Product Safety Regulation #GPSR strengthens the EU framework for #ProductSafety. Its impact depends on consistent enforcement and high-quality #standards. ANEC contributes to shaping the safety requirements that support the Regulation in practice. Confident #consumers start with safe products. #WCRD2026 #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers @isostandards @Consumers_Int

On #WorldConsumerRightsDay 2026, ANEC supports the global theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, led by @Consumers_Int. Through its engagement in European and international #standardisation, ANEC works to ensure that #standards reflect real #consumer risks and maintain the level of protection intended by EU legislation across the Single Market. #SafeProductsConfidentConsumers #WCRD2026 #ProductSafety @isostandards

🚨New EU Safety Gate report: 4,671 alerts for dangerous non-food products were signaled last year. Rules & standards only work if enforced fast across the Single Market (incl. online). #ProductSafety #EUSafetyGate 🔎Digital tools like the product passport can help, but essential warnings must stay on paper too. 📰Read ANEC's press release here: anec.eu/images/Publica…