Six things I’ve learned advocating for European consumers
After 17 years as the Director General of BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation – Monique Goyens bows out this year for a well-deserved retirement. She looks back at her career and shares a few thoughts about lobbying the EU...
Rules for sustainable products are one side of the coin. Enforcing them is the other.
It is encouraging for consumers that the EU is working on rules to make products sustainable by design. But if policymakers are serious about delivering, they should not forget about the “on the ground” aspect, argues BEUC’s Monique Goyens. This...
Pushing for fair consumer access to medicines in the EU 60 years on
High prices and shortages of medicines are harming consumers across Europe. This blog is part of our 60th anniversary series, tying the six decades of BEUC’s existence to current day concerns.
End of internal combustion engine car sales: good for the climate and your wallet
The EU is on the verge of making a historic decision to reduce CO2 emissions from cars. A 2026 review of that goal, now proposed by Member States, should not cause gridlock.
How I convinced my landlord to install solar panels on my roof
In the last in our series of blogs on sustainable housing, BEUC DG Monique Goyens explains how she convinced her landlord to install solar panels on her roof to help cut her energy bills.
It’s high time to attack the root causes of Europe’s energy price spike
Europe’s energy crisis has seen consumer bills for gas and electricity reach record levels. But why are we still not addressing its root causes, asks Monique Goyens? Governments must act now to speed up decarbonisation efforts and accompany consumers on...
Driving electric: fun, cheap(ish) and full of benefits – First experiences of an EV-driving granny
What is it like to buy and drive an electric car? BEUC's Monique Goyens tells us about her first experiences of being an 'EV' owner.
The price of bad advice: putting a stop to conflicts of interests in financial advice
This week, civil society organisations and industry associations are organising the first ever Europea Retirement Week, dedicated to discussing the future of pensions in Europe. This is a good opportunity for BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, to remind policymakers that...
Electric cars and climate action: it’s also about payment and pricing
Electric cars can play a major role in decarbonising road transport, but only with easy payment and comparable pricing to make them more convenient to charge, BEUC Director General Monique Goyens writes.
Post-Covid world: new consumer realities policy makers must address
This blog reflects the speech delivered by Monique Goyens at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Consumers and Environment category of the European Economic and Social Committee, on 1 October 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has been for many...