Media Centre
Discover here the latest news and information from
the European Balloon & Party Council and Partysafe.
Find all our latest position papers, consultation papers and press releases below.
Every product sold in Europe should have an identifiable economic operator. Why?
8 July 2026
This week, 88 industry, consumer and environmental organisations called on the European Commission to close a major accountability gap in EU product legislation. EBPC is proud to stand alongside them.
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Every product sold in Europe should have an identifiable economic operator established within the EU/EEA. Here's why that matters for consumers, responsible businesses and the future competitiveness of the Single Market.
Not All Balloons Are the Same: EBPC Responds to Temu Fine as Regulators Flag Non Compliant Balloons in the Online Marketplace
3 June 2026
Will the €200 million Temu fine keep consumers safe and raise consumer awareness???
This real safety problem is not just limited to balloons. It comes from how some products are sourced and sold: cheap, fast, and outside the EU rules that protect families from unregulated online platforms that persistently evade accountability.
European manufacturers and producers invest millions to ensure balloons are safe by complying with the strictest EU regulatory requirements.
Helium Supply Disruption: European Market Impact & Outlook
15 May 2026
The global helium market has entered a period of disruption following damage to liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure in Qatar, linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As helium is primarily recovered as a by-product of LNG processing, any interruption to gas production directly affects helium supply.
In the immediate aftermath of the escalation, LNG production at Ras Laffan was temporarily shut down, taking helium production offline, with industry estimates indicating that at least two weeks would be required to restart operations, followed by a further period to return to stable capacity[i]. Helium is also formally recognised by the European Commission as a critical raw material, reflecting both its economic importance and the risks associated with concentrated global supply.
Which? Report: Online Marketplaces Put Consumers at Risk - EBPC Supports Call for Stronger Enforcement and Greater Transparency
9 December 2025
The European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) has responded to the latest Which? investigation revealing unsafe balloons being sold on online marketplaces, calling the findings “unacceptable but unsurprising,” and urging the EU to close long-standing regulatory loopholes that allow non-compliant sellers to target EU consumers.
EBPC Welcomes New EU TSR and Calls for Stronger Enforcement Against Unsafe Online Imports
25 November 2025
Brussels, 25 November 2025 – The European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) welcomes today’s adoption of the EU Toy Safety Regulation (TSR) by the European Parliament, an important step forward in safeguarding children’s health and ensuring that products circulating in the European market meet the highest safety standards.
Lawmakers at risk of bursting the European balloon industry
21 Mar 2024
On the 13th of March, the European Parliament casted a decisive vote adopting, with 603 members in favour, five against, and 15 abstentions its report on the proposed Toy Safety Regulation. The Members of the European Parliament showed their support to introducing a general ban on N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances in all toys.
A Balloon Burst – The Unintended Consequences of Over-Regulation on the European Balloon & Party Industry
25 Jan 2024
In the wake of the recent vote by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI), the European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) voices its profound concern over the future of the balloon and party manufacturing industry. The proposed revision of the Toy Safety Regulation, while undoubtedly well-intentioned, threatens the very fabric of an industry emblematic of joy and celebration.
Joint Position: EU harmonised consumer sorting instructions
31 Dec 2021
EBPC and 40 other organisations have come together to propose an EU harmonised labelling system that helps consumers to correctly sort their waste and, at the same time, avoids any barriers to trade. Such system needs to become integral to the waste management systems in EU Member States.
DSA: Joint call by business, consumer and civil society organisations
12 Oct 2021
EBPC and 29 other business, consumer and civil society organisations have come together to call on EU policy-makers to take action against illegal activities and rogue traders through a more ambitious Digital Services Act (DSA).
Party balloon industry corrects European Commission marine litter claims
5 Jun 2018
The EBPC -the largest industry association for balloon and party products in Europe - has written to the European Commission to correct misleading claims in the Commission's new campaign against marine litter, which threaten to severely damage the industry.