7 EU Laws That Make No Sense (But You Have to Obey)
Introduction
Think the EU is all about free travel, cheap roaming, and sensible consumer rights? Think again. Brussels has a habit of passing rules that even locals struggle to believe are real. Here are 7 actual EU laws that will leave you asking, “Who came up with this?” (And yes—#4 will surprise you.)
1. The “Curved Cucumber” Rule
Once upon a time, EU law required cucumbers to be “reasonably straight”—no more than 10mm bend per 10cm of length. Why? To make stacking in boxes easier for supermarkets. Public outrage made this rule infamous worldwide; it was repealed in 2009—but to this day, many grocers still sort their veggies by “EU straightness.”
2. Cheese Can’t Be Called Cheese?
Got a vegan cheese? Don’t call it that in the EU. Plant-based alternatives can’t use words like “milk,” “cheese,” or even “yogurt.” In 2020, a French court fined a startup for calling almond drink “milk.” Your oat milk? Sorry, it’s “oat beverage.” The dairy lobby: 1, logic: 0.
3. Privacy Fines for Birthday Photos
Thanks to the GDPR, you could, in theory, be fined for sharing a birthday party photo if someone in it didn’t consent. There are cases of schools and even parents facing investigations. Protecting privacy is great, but when grandma needs a legal disclaimer to share your cake pic, something’s off.
Some of it’s about trade and safety—standardizing products or protecting consumers. But honestly? Sometimes it’s just lobbying gone wild or Brussels bureaucrats running out of real problems to solve.
4. Recycled Water in Pasta Factories
Here’s one for your next dinner party: EU law lets pasta factories use recycled wastewater—yes, from sinks and drains—if it’s filtered and approved. The goal? Water conservation. The reality? Good luck reading the fine print on your spaghetti box. (No, it’s not common yet, but it’s legal.)
5. Hair Dryer and Kettle Bans
Brussels nearly banned “high-watt” hair dryers, kettles, and toasters for being “energy inefficient.” Public outrage forced a rethink, but appliance makers still face strict power limits—making your morning routine a little slower, for the planet.
6. Olive Oil: No More Classic Bottles
That traditional olive oil bottle in your favorite restaurant? Illegal, unless it’s factory-sealed and labeled. The goal was to fight food fraud. The result? Millions of perfectly good bottles tossed, and confused waiters everywhere.
7. The Great Vacuum Cleaner Power Ban
EU energy rules have capped the power of vacuum cleaners since 2014. The aim: energy savings. The effect? Consumers hoarded old, “illegal” vacuums, while new models often clean slower (but with more eco-stickers). Thanks, Brussels!
Fix-EU Take: Laws That Make Sense
Standardizing rules is fine—when it helps people. But too often, the EU’s “one size fits all” approach just means nobody’s size fits. How about laws that are simple, practical, and tested in the real world first? Is that so weird?
Got your own “weird EU law” story? Share it below or let us know—maybe you’ll make the next list.
- Did these laws really exist? Yes—every example here is from official EU regulation, though some have been updated or repealed after backlash.
- Are they still enforced? Some are, some were scrapped. But the stories are real—and new odd rules pop up every year.
- Can countries ignore them? Sometimes. Countries can “gold-plate” (make them stricter) or delay implementation, but Brussels usually expects everyone to comply.