Press releases

The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband – vzbv) has sent a written warning to football’s international governing body FIFA. The consumer protection organisation believes that several promotional claims about the supposedly “carbon-neutral” World Cup mislead consumers. The specific claims made in German include references to a “fully carbon-neutral tournament”, “low-emission transportation” as well as the claim that any remaining, unavoidable emissions will be “offset”.

Research by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband – vzbv) shows that common repairs for smartphones are relatively expensive. This is particularly the case with respect to cheaper models. A forsa survey commissioned by vzbv confirms that high costs are the main reason people do not get their phone repaired. vzbv thus calls for a repair bonus and lower VAT for repair services.

The European Commission has, surprisingly, taken up a telecommunications industry proposal which the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband – vzbv) considers a threat to an open and free internet: The sending-party-pays model.

The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. – vzbv) has issued a statement on the European Commission's proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence.

The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. – vzbv) has filed a lawsuit against Tesla at the Berlin Regional Court (Landgericht Berlin). vzbv accuses the car company of concealing the fact that customers are obliged to comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation when using Sentry Mode and risk a fine in the event of violations. With Sentry Mode, the vehicle's surroundings are continuously monitored by cameras. In addition, vzbv accuses Tesla of making misleading advertising statements about the CO2 savings that can be achieved when buying its electric cars.

Ramona Pop took over as Executive Director of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) from interim Executive Director Jutta Gurkmann. The 44-year-old Pop was previously mayor and senator for economy, energy and public enterprises in Berlin and, from 2009 to 2016, parliamentary group leader of the Green Party in the Berlin House of Representatives. Pop sees the consumer price crisis as her greatest current task. As head of vzbv, she also wants to ensure that policy-makers tackle the major challenges of the future with the interests of consumers at heart.