The European citizens’ initiative petition

Thanks to The Lisbon Treaty, we now have a new tool for citizens and stakeholders to participate in the shaping of European Union policy known as a 'European citizens' initiative'.

By collecting signatures from one million citizens, who are nationals of a significant number of Member States, together we can directly ask the European Commission to take note and take action.

We are aiming to provide the first ever European citizens' initiative petition. Do you want to be a part of it too?

Join us in helping create a healthier Europe today by registering your support for the European Obesity Day charter.

European Obesity Day Charter

We'd like overweight and obese individuals to be empowered

• We want the European Commission, Member States and pan-European medical organisations to educate the public on the dangers of overweight and obesity and where they can find support
• We want Member States and pan-European medical organisations to ensure that the public understands what healthy weight loss is and how to manage their weight successfully
• We want Member States to provide the public with access to effective therapies under their national health systems

We'd like healthcare professionals (including doctors, pediatricians, pharmacists, nutritionists, psychologists), who come into regular contact with overweight and obese individuals, to be more involved

• We want all Member States to recognise obesity as a chronic disease
• We want the European Commission to help medical organisations to develop clinical guidelines on weight loss and the different interventions available
• We want the European Commission to develop a public 'scorecard' of Member State efforts to reduce obesity to encourage the sharing of best practice from country to country

We'd like scientific evidence to be used to establish whether weight loss products are safe and effective

• We want the European Commission to undertake a fundamental review of the EU legal framework for marketing weight loss products
• We want the European Commission to look at how legislation is enforced and, where appropriate, ensure that weight loss products do what they say they do
• We want the European Commission to help Member States to highlight products that advertise supporting weight loss but do not have proof of effectiveness