The European Heart Network (EHN) has submitted its response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Consumer Agenda 2025–2030 and the accompanying Action Plan on Consumers in the Single Market.
EHN highlights the need to strengthen consumer protection to support healthier environments and reduce the burden of avoidable non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
EHN calls for robust policy action to address the commercial strategies used by food, alcohol, and tobacco industries to promote products harmful to health. These include targeted marketing, product placement, and pricing strategies that particularly impact children and adolescents. Misleading narratives of free consumer choice must be challenged through stronger regulatory frameworks.
EHN stresses the need for an integrated food systems approach that includes demand-side measures to make healthy and sustainable food options affordable, accessible, and attractive. Accountability across the entire food chain, including commercial actors, is essential for a fair and effective transition.
Consumer protection must ensure affordability and accessibility of prevention and treatment tools for cardiovascular health. Digital health technologies should be subject to rigorous quality and safety standards, with strong safeguards for health data privacy and consumer rights
EHN supports stronger enforcement of patient rights under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. Clearer information, cost transparency, and support mechanisms are needed to ensure equitable access to high-quality cardiovascular care across Member States.
Digital health tools and AI-driven applications influencing health choices must be transparent, evidence-based, and accountable. Consumers should be protected from biased algorithms, commercial exploitation of personal data, and misleading health claims. The EU must ensure access to accurate, science-based information that supports informed decision-making.
Feedback from: European Heart Network