Activities of María IRIGOYEN PÉREZ
Plenary speeches (56)
European Union Solidarity Fund (debate)
Consumer product safety - Market surveillance of products - Protection of consumers in utilities services (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Consequences of adverse weather conditions in various Member States (debate)
Common European sales law (A7-0301/2013 - Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Luigi Berlinguer)
Cohesion Policy (A7-0081/2014 - Vilja Savisaar-Toomast)
Optimising the potential of outermost regions (A7-0121/2014 - Younous Omarjee)
Accessibility of public sector bodies' websites (A7-0460/2013 - Jorgo Chatzimarkakis)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Local and regional consequences of the development of smart grids (A7-0019/2014 - Elisabeth Schroedter)
Implementation of Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (short presentation)
Non-discrimination in the framework of sexual and reproductive health and rights (debate)
Award of concession contracts (A7-0030/2013 - Philippe Juvin)
Consumer programme 2014-2020 (debate)
Reindustrialising Europe to promote competitiveness and sustainability (debate)
Smart specialisation: networking excellence for a sound Cohesion Policy (short presentation)
eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 (short presentation)
Gender aspects of the European framework of national Roma inclusion strategies - Progress made in the implementation of national Roma integration strategies (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Common provisions on European funds - European Social Fund - European Regional Development Fund and the 'investment for growth and jobs' goal - European Regional Development Fund and the 'European territorial cooperation' goal - Cohesion Fund - European grouping of territorial cooperation (debate)
Recognition of professional qualifications and administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (debate)
Budgetary constraints for regional and local authorities regarding the EU's Structural Funds (A7-0269/2013 - Erminia Mazzoni)
Implementation and impact of the energy efficiency measures under the cohesion policy (short presentation)
Recent floods in Europe (debate)
A new agenda for European consumer policy (short presentation)
A macro-regional strategy for the Alps
Labour conditions and health and safety standards following the recent factory fires and building collapse in Bangladesh (continuation of debate)
Regional strategies for industrial areas in the European Union (short presentation)
Online consumer dispute resolution - Alternative consumer dispute resolution (debate)
Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls (debate)
'One carry-on bag' rule imposed by certain airlines (debate)
Youth guarantee (debate)
Youth guarantee (debate)
Urban redevelopment as contribution to economic growth - Role of territorial development in cohesion policy - European Union Solidarity Fund, implementation and application - Role of EU cohesion policy in implementing the new European energy policy (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Single Market Act II - Concerns of European citizens and business with the functioning of the Single Market (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Customs enforcement of intellectual property rights (debate)
Future of the Single Market Act (debate)
Defective silicone gel breast implants made by French company PIP (debate)
Strengthening the rights of vulnerable consumers (short presentation)
Food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Reprogramming of the structural funds to better combat youth unemployment and help SMEs (debate)
Implementation of Professional Qualifications Directive (debate)
Online gambling (short presentation)
Modernisation of public procurement (debate)
Mutual evaluation process of the Services Directive (short presentation)
Future EU cohesion policy (short presentation)
5th cohesion report and strategy for the post-2013 cohesion policy - Implementation of cohesion policy programmes for 2007-2013 - European urban agenda and its future in cohesion policy - Objective 3: future agenda for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation - Increased effectiveness between ERDF and other structural funds (debate)
Explanations of vote
Textile names and related labelling of textile products (debate)
Governance and partnership in the Single Market - Single market for Europeans - Single market for enterprises and growth - Public procurement (continuation of debate)
Consumer rights (debate)
EU strategy for the Atlantic region (debate)
Safety of toys (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on a strategy for strengthening the rights of vulnerable consumers PDF (177 KB) DOC (99 KB)
Shadow reports (3)
REPORT on the European Retail Action Plan for the benefit of all actors PDF (226 KB) DOC (112 KB)
REPORT on the EU Cohesion Policy Strategy for the Atlantic Area PDF (223 KB) DOC (167 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a consumer programme 2014-2020 PDF (473 KB) DOC (688 KB)
Opinions (3)
OPINION on eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 - Innovative healthcare for the 21st century
OPINION on reindustrialising Europe to promote competitiveness and sustainability
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
Shadow opinions (7)
OPINION on improving access to justice: legal aid in cross-border civil and commercial disputes
OPINION on Social Business Initiative – Creating a favourable climate for social enterprises, key stakeholders in the social economy and innovation
OPINION on the functioning and application of established rights of people travelling by air
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances
OPINION on the Green Paper ‘From challenges to opportunities: towards a common strategic framework for EU research and innovation funding’
OPINION on the twenty-seventh annual report on monitoring the application of EU law (2009)
OPINION on energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond
Amendments (350)
Amendment 3 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the retail market is strategically important as it fosters competitive and balanced growth, generates employment, and supports the economy in towns and cities, as well as helping to strengthen the single market and win back the European public s confidence in the internal market;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the current economic crisis is taking a heavy toll on retailtraditional retail trade, affecting in particular smaller, independent shops and small chains, and resulting in the number of jobs in the retail sector falling constantly;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. States that the Action Plan should have paid more attention to the effects of the current economic crisis on retail and, in particular, on smaller, independent shops and small retail chains, as well as on the enhancing the empowerment of consumers, in particular the most vulnerable;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges Member States not to take measures in the context of austerity policies that undermine consumer confidence and directly harm the interests of the retail sector, such as increasing VAT or, raising charges for shops, reclassifying products and product rates, blocking credit, etc.;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, and to lift practical obstacles, particularly administrative and bureaucratic ones, that hamper business start-up, development and continuity, making it difficult for retailers and entrepreneurs to fully benefit from the internal market;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to develop instruments to facilitate consumer access to transparent, easily understandable and reliable information on the prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services; encourages the Commission to set up an easily accessible database containing all EU and national labelling requirements; at the same time warns against the multiplication of labels and labelling requirements and calls for simplification, preferably bringing together various aspects of social and environmental sustainability in one label, while reducing differences in national mandatory labelling requirements;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to set in motion, as part of the Action Plan, actions to support innovation, specialisation and competitiveness in the retail trade; to promote municipal markets and shopping tourism; to encourage entrepreneurs and the transfer of businesses from one generation to another; to create safe surroundings for trade;
Amendment 52 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates the importance of removing barriers (linguistic, administrative, lack of information) that restrict the business potential of online cross-border trade and undermine consumers’ confidence in the single market;
Amendment 58 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls the importance of the proper implementation of existing social and labour legislation; regrets the existence of a high degree of undeclared work, which involves a high level of tax evasion and prevents the establishment of a level playing field between traders in the internal market; warns against the working conditions and abuses that can occur in the retail trade and which affect women, low-skilled workers and immigrants in particular;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Points out the importance of improving business and professional skills in order to raise employment rates in the sector, and calls on Member States and the Commission to encourage the hiring of people from those groups in society that find it harder to obtain jobs;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication on the eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 and considers that it offers an important set of guidelines for national, regional and local institutions on how to prepare the healthcare systems in the EU for today’s challenges, which include the ageing of the population, the spgreadter incidence of chronic diseases, the need to provide suitable care for patients with some form of disability, preserve a human dimension in healthcare, overcome the growing difficulty of keeping medical and social issues separate, and deal with the growing number of patients on the move, growing demand for quality care and specialised services, the need for more efficient use of ever- scarcer resources, reducing red tape and corruption, and creating an accessible and stable market environment to encourage innovation, employment, social development and fairness;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the fact that budgetary adjustments have led to harsh cuts in health resources, including a reduction in healthcare staff, at a time when the demands on health services are increasing and medical cases linked to the crisis are on the up;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that not all citizens and health practitioners have the opportunity to use IT tools or the necessary skills, and that those concerned should therefore be offered suitably adapted assistance and training, to be available throughout the Union, in order to help them develop their digital skills and thus fully exploit the benefits of eHealth services while not increasing social or territorial inequalities; stresses the need for the training curricula for health practitioners to include digital health training;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that eHealth opens up great opportunities for improving the accessibility of national and cross-border healthcare services for all EU citizens equally, irrespective of their location, citizenship, income or social status, or of disability and age; stresses that health literacy of patients, digital skills of patients and medical personnelhealthcare personnel, particularly with regard to data protection, which is essential in establishing trust on all sides and incorporating ICT more effectively in the health sector, broadband access and access to user-friendly eHealth ICT tools are essential in order to strengthen social and territorial cohesion, eliminate health inequalities and provide access to preventative healthcare measures and medical advice in remote, sparsely populated and otherwise disadvantaged regions; considers that in this regard local and regional authorities have an essential role to play in spreading information, educating and organising ongoing training according to the needs of local communities, and involving civil society organisations and volunteers; , who provide added value by contributing to social cohesion;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the need to give adequate support to SMEs in the context of eHealth, so as to guarantee equal market access in a developing social market economy and ensure that they contribute to social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the organisation of healthcare systems is a competence of the Member States authorities, which have a responsibility and a duty to guarantee access for all to high-quality healthcare and ensure the sustainability of what is an essential public service in terms of social and territorial cohesion; urges the Commission, nonetheless, to play a more active role in coordinating Member States’ actions and encouraging cooperation, clarifying conditions and identifying common barriers to crossborder health provision in order to guarantee its interoperability, for example with regard to reimbursement procedures and healthcare data collection and evaluation, facilitating the joint development of data bases throughout the EU, as well as assessing the efficiency of existing eHealth applications in terms of fostering the exchange of best practice at EU level;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2061(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasises the importance of strengthening the role of health practitioners and patients in the implementation of the eHealth Action Plan and calls for Member States to share experience and best practice;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the future cohesion policy will be one of the main EU policies fostering industrial innovation in order to respond to the challenges associated with sustainable energy, climate change and resource efficiency; takes the view, therefore, that support from the future cohesion policy and the European Structural and Investment Funds is pivotal to the reindustrialisation of the EU and its regions through a genuinely modern industrial policy- inclusive, sustainable and highly competitive;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that regions' characteristics and their specific strengths have to be taken into consideration when planning regional industrial development strategies for each region and each sector in order to achieve a high level of specialisation in Europe's industry;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need to set out clear industrial competitiveness policy strategies in the National Reform Programmes, through a more focused approach which includes the setting of priorities in relation to: facilitating access to finance; support for R&D and education; administrative simplification; the reduction of labour taxation; improvement of infrastructure; greater involvement of all stakeholders at regional and local level and strong support for SMEs and entrepreneurs; believes that a more coordinated approach between different levels of government and stakeholders will be achieved by including the proposed territorial pacts in the partnership agreements- a tool to coordinate and synchronise the regional and local actors' policy agendas in order to focus their actions and financial resources on the Europe 2020 Strategy goals and targets;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reminds that regional economies are a key to achieving smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as they have both the required knowledge and capacity to mobilise local stakeholders in accordance with the regional specificities; reiterates the crucial importance of connecting the innovation and sustainability agendas at the regional, national and European level by developing strong regional and national research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3);
Amendment 27 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that national and regional authorities have to place economic, social and environmental innovation at the heart of their long term sustainable development strategies, driven by strong networks, knowledge exchange and management and innovation ecosystems, composed by clusters of highly specialised SMEs and industries;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Is strongly concerned by the negative impact of the economic and financial crisis on the capacity of EU regions to finance productive investment for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth thus putting at high risk the achievement of the Europe 2020 objectives;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that, given the current financial, economic and social crisis, public and private investment is essential as part of an overall strategy for growth; supports, in this connection, the overall reform of the state aid regime through the application of a more socially and economically based approach; reiterates the importance of taking greater account of the quality and the efficiency of public spending.
Amendment 97 #
2013/0072(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) In order to prevent situations in which boarding is unjustifiably denied to minors without identification travelling with their parents, airlines will have to comply with the rules laid down in the national aviation safety plans;
Amendment 106 #
2013/0072(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) For the most vulnerable passengers, such as disabled persons, persons with reduced mobility and other persons with special needs such as unaccompanied children, pregnant women and persons in need of specific medical attention, it may be more difficult to arrange accommodation when flight disruptions occur. Therefore, any limitations on the right for accommodation in cases of extraordinary circumstances or for regional operations should not apply to these categories of passenger.
Amendment 93 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42 b (new)
Recital 42 b (new)
(42b) This Regulation should comply with the precautionary principle in order to ensure a high level of human health, consumer and environmental protection.
Amendment 128 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Market surveillance shall be organised and carried out in accordance with this Regulation with a view to ensuring that products presenting a risk and, more generally, products that are not compliant with the applicable Union legislation, are not made available on the Union market and, where such products have been made available, effective measures are taken to remove the risk presented by the product and to put an end to its non-compliance.
Amendment 147 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Market surveillance authorities shall perform appropriate checks on the characteristics of products, irrespective of the distribution channels and selling techniques, on an adequate scale and with adequate frequency, by means of a documentary check and, where necessary, a physical and laboratory check on the basis of an adequate sample. They shall record these checks in the information and communication system for market surveillance referred to in Article 21.
Amendment 162 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Market surveillance authorities shall act taking due account of the seriousness of the risk and of the precautionary principle.
Amendment 165 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. Where it is necessary and justified for carrying out their duties, market surveillance authorities may enter the premises of economic operators, carry out appropriate documentary checks, make copies of relevant documents and take any necessary samples of products.
Amendment 209 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Where, in the course of carrying out the checks referred to in Article 6(1) or as a result of information received, market surveillance authorities have sufficient reason to believe that a product that is placed or made available on the market or is used in the course of the provision of a service may present a risk, they shall carry out a risk assessment in relation to that product taking account of the considerations and criteria set out in Article 13 of this Regulation and in Article 6 of the Regulation on Consumer Product Safety.
Amendment 212 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Market surveillance authorities shall take due consideration of any readily available and comprehensible test result and risk assessment that has already been carried out or issued in relation to the product by an economic operator or any other person or authority including the authorities of other Member States.
Amendment 240 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b – point iii
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b – point iii
(iii) alerting the persons at risk to the risk, in good timemmediately and in an appropriate form, including by publication of special warnings;
Amendment 242 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point d – point i
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point d – point i
(i) preventing immediately the product from being placed or made available on the market;
Amendment 260 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 6
Article 10 – paragraph 6
6. MIn the case of products found to present a risk, market surveillance authorities shall publish information about product identification, the nature of a risk and the measures taken to prevent, reduce or eliminate that risk on a dedicated website to the fullest extent necessary to protect the interests of users of products in the Union. This information shall not be published where it is imperative to observe confidentiality in order to protect commercial secrets, preserve personal data pursuant to national and Union legislation or avoid undermining monitoring and investigation activities.
Amendment 268 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. If an objection is raised in accordance with paragraph 1 by the Commission or a Member State, the Commission shall inform all the Member States through the RAPEX contact points.
Amendment 290 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. Compliance with the criteria referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 2 shall raise a presumption that the product adequately safeguards the public interests to which those criteria relate. However, this shall not prevent market surveillance authorities from taking action under this Regulation where there is new evidence that, despite such conformity or compliance, the product presents a risk.
Amendment 25 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas, in the absence of harmonisation and with due regard to the principle of subsidiarity, the Member States maintain a margin of discretionhave the right to regulate online gambling in accordance with their own values and traditions and their pursued objectives of general interest;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, owing to its particular nature and the application of the subsidiarity principle, currently the supply of online gambling services is not subject to sector- specific regulation at European Union level, remaining – nevertheless – subject to a number of EU secondary legislative acts;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has confirmed that the provision of games of chance or gambling is an economic activity, which consequently falls within the scope of fundamental freedoms of the TFEU, notably the free movement of services, and any restrictions imposed thereto need to comply with those provided for by the TFEU, notably under Articles 51 and 52; of a particular kind where restrictions may be justified for reasons of overriding public interest such as consumer protection, fraud prevention and the preservation of public order; whereas it must nevertheless be borne in mind that any restrictions imposed must be proportionate to the objectives pursued and must not be discriminatory;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the risks involved in terms of consumer protectionprotecting consumers against illegal offers, fraud prevention and law enforcement against illegal activities, such as money laundering and match fixing, require coordinated action at EU level;
Amendment 81 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas any coordinated initiative at EU level must recognise and take account of the specific features of lotteries and their sustainable contribution to society;
Amendment 93 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle, the Member States have the right to determine how the offer of online gambling services is to be organised and regulated at the national level and to apply measures against illegal gambling services, while observing the basic EU Treaty principles;
Amendment 130 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to continue to carry out effective checkengage in a dialogue with the Member States on compliance with EU law of national laws and practices, and to take legal action against gambling monopolies that do not reduce gambling opportunities or limit promotional activities for gambling inrespect the decision taken by the Member States in relation to the establishment of monopolies in this sector, provided that they adopt a consistent manner,approach in line with CJEU case-law;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the risks associated with a general prohibition of online gambling services and with excessive restrictions for consumers; calls on the Commission and the Member States to weigh, as part of the work of the group of experts on gambling services,cooperate with a view to balancing the social costs of permitting regulated gambling activities againstnd the harmful effects of consumers resorting to illicit markets;
Amendment 180 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the expert group on gambling services and on the Commission to facilitate, as much as possible, the flow of data between regulators in the Member States in order to allow forshare best practices and information in relation to the establishment of an efficient common system for identifying players and to make, as well as the establishment of white and black lists of operators and self- exclusion mechanisms applicable throughout the EU;
Amendment 239 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Agrees with the Commission that a fair offer of gambling services, defined by each Member State, is necessary for consumer protection, because in its absence consumers are more likely to turn to unreliableillegal gambling websiteoperators;
Amendment 311 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that the workshop agreement published in February 2011 by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) could serve as a basis for identifying the content of common standards; 1 CWA 16259:2011.self-regulatory initiatives could be used to help identify the content of common standards; takes the view that, in such a sensitive area as gambling, self- regulation of the industry can complement but not replace national regulation; Or. es
Amendment 326 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that common standards for online gambling should addressinclude the rights and obligations of both the service provider and the consumer, including by means of measures to ensure a high level of protection for players, (particularly minors and other vulnerable persons), the coercive measures that the Member States need to introduce in order to ensure a high level of protection for players, and the prevention of misleading advertisements and a ban on advertising for illegal operators;
Amendment 349 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recommends the introduction of uniform and pan-European common standards forat the Member States exchange best practices on electronic identification and cross border e-verification services; notes that the different registration procedures across the EU undermine regulated operators, and can push consumers, as well as coercive measures such as black lists and the blocking of illegal websites, the definition of safe and traceable payment solutions and measures to block transactions in order to ensure that consumers cannot fall into the hands of illegal operators; calls, therefore, on the Member States for registration and identification procedures to be streamlined and made more efficient;
Amendment 362 #
2012/2322(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Recommends the strict regulation of or a ban on dangerous forms of gambling, following an assessment to be carried out in each Member State;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Maintains that investment in, and the exploitation of, renewable energy will promote economic development, new innovations and technology, and sustainable growth in the EU’s regions and, moreover, will create jobstable jobs, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises, across Union territory, thus contributing to development and helping to put an end to specific social and geographical vulnerabilities;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Member States to continue to promote investment in renewable energies and energy convergence, and regrets the trend towards the withdrawal of incentives for renewable energies in favour of other less environmentally and socio-economically sustainable energy sources;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that EU regional policy has a key role to play in promoting renewable energy production on a Europe-wide scale; welcomes the fact that the cohesion and regional policy input intended to encourage renewable energy use has continued to expand step by step; considers it particularly important for the direction of Commission policy to be such as to enable the funding rate to be increased further in the comingto ensure that the European Union has sufficient funding for the coming 2014- 2020 period;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Maintains that investment under Common Strategic Framework funds could be of great help in resolving the challenges for renewable energy; draws attention also to the importance of public and private – and first and foremost European – investment and of innovative financial instruments; without overlooking research and development projects supported under the Structural Funds, especially those carried out at grass- root level, points to the role of Horizon 2020 in the development of the European renewable energy sector and in the responses to specific territorial challenges;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that achieving increased renewable energy production will pose challenges to the serviceability of the existing energyobjective of integrating renewable energies agreed by the EU, which requires a strongly meshed transmission network; highlights the importance of increasing both the number and capacity of cross-border interconnections and internal transmission infrastructure; points to the importance of both public and private funding where energy infrastructure investment is concerned; believes that, for example, ELENA assistance should support large- scale renewable energy investment projects to more useful effect and that the Intelligent Energy – Europe programme could be used to foster greater acceptance and wider use of renewable energy;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points to the importance of self- sufficiency in energy and tof guaranteeing energy supply security throughout the EU, as well as the major role of European renewable energy sources, including slowly renewable sources, for regional economies; points out that the efforts to replace fossil and imported energy with locally produced European renewable energy are important in the long term in order to meet the targets set in the Energy Roadmap 2050 and the Europe 2020 strategy;
Amendment 60 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that local sustainable energy strategies have an essential role in terms of regional and social development, as they enhance the participation of regional players in renewable energy projects; notes that the Member States and regions have their own strengths as far as renewable energy sources are concerned and that, because of geographical differences, renewable energy policy cannot be exactly the same in every region; points out that bioenergy can do much to foster energy management, economic growth, and vitality, especially in sparsely populated regions and rural areastresses that account must be taken of regions' specific features and their preferences for those renewable energy sources that are best suited to local conditions, with a view to achieving the 2020 targets; points out that bioenergy can do much to foster energy management, economic growth, and vitality, especially in sparsely populated regions and rural areas, as can other energy sources such as geothermal energy, wind energy, in particular offshore wind energy, and wave and tidal energy, which offer effective solutions in terms of meeting the needs of the most vulnerable consumers and help to create jobs;
Amendment 67 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Maintains that effective renewable energy projects should not stop at the EU’s internal borders, to say nothing of its external borders; draws attention to the importance of using cooperation mechanisms and implementing cross- border energy projects and takes the view that European regional cooperation programmes, as well as the IPA and the ENI, should be exploited to the full to help renewable energy to take off; stresses the importance of boosting international energy cooperation, for example in the southern Mediterranean, in order to improve the development of renewable energies; also stresses that best practice should be shared and turned to account under those programmes;
Amendment 75 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that coherence and perseverance are key elements of EU climate and energy policy; notes that the targets set and the requirements imposed on production may not all be consistent in every respect with the aim of achieving the 2020 targets and ensuring that the bulk of energy supply is obtained from renewable energies by 2050; points out that legislation which limits the exploitation of renewable energy will at worst make the targets more difficult to reach, and that this could adversely affect regional economies.
Amendment 1 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as incorporated into the Treaties by Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), and in particular Article 38 of the Charter which lays down that Union policies shall ensure a high level of consumer protection,
Amendment 3 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
having regard to Articles 14, 114(3) and 169 of the TFEU and Protocol 26 thereto on services of general (economic) interest,
Amendment 12 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 27
Citation 27
having regard to the Communication from the Commissionission Staff Working Document of 22 October 2010 entitled ‘Making markets work for consumers’, the Fourth edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard (SEC(2010)1257),
Amendment 13 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29
Citation 29
having regard to the Communication from the Commissionission Staff Working Document of 11 March 2011 entitled ‘Consumers at home in the single market’, the Fifth edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard (SEC(2011)0299),
Amendment 14 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 33
Citation 33
having regard to the Communication from the Commissionission Staff Working Paper of October 2011 entitled ‘Making markets work for consumers’, the Sixth edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard (SEC(2011)1271),
Amendment 17 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 47
Citation 47
having regard to the Communication from the Commissionission Staff Working Document of 29 May 2012 entitled ‘Consumer Conditions Scoreboard – Consumers at home in the single market’, the Seventh edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard (SWD(2012)0165),
Amendment 18 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 47 a (new)
Citation 47 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission staff working document of 7 December 2012 entitled 'making markets work for consumers', the Eighth edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard (SWD(2012)432),
Amendment 20 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 53 a (new)
Citation 53 a (new)
- having regard to the draft European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC1 _______________________ 1 (COM(2011)0793 – C70454/2011– 2011/0373(COD)) A7-0280/2012
Amendment 21 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 53 b (new)
Citation 53 b (new)
- having regard to the draft European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes1 _______________________ 1 (COM(2011)0794 – C7-0453/2011– 2011/0374(COD)) A7-0236/2012
Amendment 22 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 53 c (new)
Citation 53 c (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2012 on completing the digital single market1, _______________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0468
Amendment 31 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas consumers do not form one single homogeneous group, and the resultant variables need to be addressed in the Consumer Policy Agenda;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas it is necessary to boost consumer confidence, their trust in the market and knowledge of their rights, with a special focus on vulnerable consumerconsumers who are vulnerable on account of a physical or psychological illness or their age, or who become vulnerable through their social and financial status;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas achieving a properly functioning internal market is consistent with the Lisbon Strategy’s goals of increasing growth and jobs in order to serve the EU’s 500 million consumers;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas uncertainty over consumers’ rights in regard to cross-border purchases is undermining the benefits of market integration;
Amendment 68 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas necessary adjustments will have to be introduced as technical and scientific knowledge advances, in regard to both food safety and safety of other basic consumer products ;
Amendment 76 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the European Parliament and the national parliaments should contribute to the swift and effective transposition of consumer protection legislation;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas the EU has set targets for reducing CO2 emissions with the aim of achieving the 2020 objectives and ensuring that the bulk of energy supply is obtained from renewable energies by 2050;
Amendment 151 #
2012/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Asks that, in the case of mortgage contracts involving the principal home, any evictions or foreclosures arising from defaults in payments due to causes not attributable to the consumer, such as unemployment, should be suspended, applying a moratorium on monthly payments or replacing the mortgage payments with a lease-purchase option on that home, or setting a monthly rent;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2132(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the fact that most Member States have implemented successfully the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and calls on the remaining Member States to quickly follow suit;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2132(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that the proportion of advertising and teleshopping spots should not exceed 12 minutes per hour; highlights the need to monitor commercial formats that are not strictly advertisements but which can confuse consumers and are devised to skirt this restriction, and calls for a ban on advertising during programmes for children and young people; recommends an analysis of best practice in this field in certain countries as the basis for future reform of the legislative framework;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2132(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Emphasises the way in which the increasingly blurred distinction between linear and non-linear services has affected technical development in the sector, and therefore calls for measures to update current legislation;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2101(INI)
2. Considers that other European procedures too, such as the European Small Claims Procedure and the European Order for Payment Procedure, are not well known and will not achieve a high profile if the current information policy continues to be pursued; calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide clear, accessible information on preliminary legal aid and on the use of alternative methods of dispute resolution;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the establishment of a pooluser- friendly pool that is up to date, accessible and clear, and from which lawyers can be called on, by a simple search referencing the languages they speak and the legal systems with which they are familiar, to act for recipients of EU legal aid; urges the Commission to cooperate with the Member States in supporting the introduction of specific training for lawyers providing legal aid services;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take steps to improve information on the right to legal aid in cross-border disputes and to raise awareness about and promote the use of that information among the public and those in the legal profession;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to pay particular attention to the most vulnerable groups – such as victims of gender violence, minors, disabled people and immigrants – to ensure that their needs are taken into account;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers it advisable to designate a single authority with responsibility for cross-border legal aid and a central office in each Member State to receive and transmit legal aid applications;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to submit a revised proposal to remedy the shortcomings, inadequate interpretations and situations not covered which it refers to in its report (COM(2012) 71 final), particularly in relation to the economic criteria for granting legal aid and the thresholds set by the Member States, and to bring about further harmonisation of the Member States’ legislation in order to prevent further misunderstandings and legal loopholes.
Amendment 20 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Commission to consider bringing forward a proposal on providing legal aid in cross-border criminal cases;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on the Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on International Access to Justice to do so;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the common objectives of the EU cohesion policy are the economic, social and territorial cohesion of Europe’s regions through investment in sustainable growth and jobs;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the regions of Europe should be able to focus on those energy sources which are best suited to the localpromote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth that takes into account local specificities and conditions and that the EU should start measuring European energy objectives on an EU-wide scale;
Amendment 80 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that, while Member States are changing their energy mixes in accordance with the EU’s climate goals, many regions are dependent on fossil fuels; believes, therefore, that not only low-carbon, but all low-emission sources of energy, such as shale gas, ought to be accepted, including those of a transitional naturethe transition to low-carbon sources of energy ought to be fostered through measures to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of energy production, transport and consumption and by promoting renewable energy sources;
Amendment 105 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Points out that the geographical obstacles inherent in the location of islands and mountain areas make it very difficult to integrate them into the EU energy network; asks the Commission and the Council to ensure that the future post-2013 cohesion policy pays special attention to regions with specific geographical and demographic features, such as islands, mountainous regions and regions with a low population density, aiming at greater diversification of energy sources and far more promotion of renewable energy;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2067(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that consumers have a right to effective and equal protection regardless of their mode of transport; calls for one single regulation comprising all provisions and principles of passenger rights, particularly for passengers in vulnerable situations, in order to reduce fragmentation and reconcile inconsistencies across the different areas of passengers’ rights;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2067(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to ensure that passengers are informed of these rights before purchasing travel services, and that such information is made available in an accessible and comprehensible manner throughout all the various stages of travel; calls for action to strengthen the role of consumer centres in resolving consumer problems and disputes, and to ensure that effective and accessible mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution and collective redress are available; calls, in this context, for the establishment of a single helpline website for information on passengers’ rights (www.travel.eu);
Amendment 37 #
2012/2067(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the development of EU-wide tools to ensure optimised multimodality in efficient and smoothhigh-quality cross-border public transport services, in order to vouchsafe both the free movement of people and the competitiveness of such services vis-à-vis the use of private vehicles;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that social businesses have the potential to provide innovative responses to the current social and economic problems; encourages, therefore, the development of a supportive regulatory framework and the provision of financial support to enable them tohat is better suited to social entrepreneurship and to social enterprises, which will assist their growth and survivestainability;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the contribution of social businesses to prioritising decision-making based on people and the work and services they provide to institutions, or based on social goals, and to understanding and meeting the needs of consumers in general and of vulnerable consumers in particular;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on Member States to promote, encourage and develop social economy institutions by removing obstacles to starting and developing social enterprises, promoting training and retraining in the field of social economy institutions and increasing aid to entrepreneurs in social enterprises;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that social businesses help to build an ‘active society’ which is supportive of sustainable and inclusive economic growth and promotes internal solidarity, equal opportunities for men and women, social cohesion, the inclusion of people at risk of social exclusion, the generation of stable, quality jobs, reconciliation of personal, family and working life and sustainability;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that the reform of the EU's public procurement rules provides a good opportunity to improve respect for social standards and increase the participation of social businesses in public contracts; insists that the main goals of the reform – simplification and modernisation – should not be jeopardised by overly burdensome social obligations or conditwelcomes the new regime for social services proposed by Commission within the Public Procurement Directives revision and stresses the importance of this tool for local contracting authorities in order to provide quality services fostering social cohesions;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission's proposal to add the new category of disadvantaged persons to reserved contracts; stresses that such a significant extension of the notunderlines the potential of the new provision ofn reserved contracts should not come at the cost of competitivenessin order to pursue a strategic use of Public Procurements al local level fostering innovative social and territorial development;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2004(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Asks the Commission to develop a long- term strategy to safeguard social goals and to remove obstacles to starting and developing the economic activities of social economy institutions, particularly with regard to the implementation of administrative procedures, and to enhance the participation of social businesses in public procurement, without hampering the competitive awarding of contracts or creating incentives to circumvent the rules;
Amendment 87 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) In 2010, around 116 million people, 25 million of them children, were at risk of social exclusion or poverty in the EU, and of those, 40 million were suffering from severe material deprivation and 4.1 million were homeless, which represents an increase of around 4 million over the previous year.
Amendment 92 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (hereinafter the 'Fund') should strengthen social cohesion by contributing to the reduction of poverty and social exclusion in the Union by supporting national schemes that provide non- financial assistance to the most deprived persons to alleviate food deprivation, homelessness and material and nutritional deprivation of children.
Amendment 108 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The operational programme of each Member State should identify and justify the most urgent forms of material and nutritional deprivation to be addressed, and describe the objectives and features of the assistance to the most deprived persons that will be provided through the support of national schemes. It should also include elements necessary to ensure rapid, effective and efficient implementation of the operational programme.
Amendment 111 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) With a view to ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the measures financed from the Fund, cooperation should be fostered between regional and local authorities and bodies representing civil society. Member States therefore need to promote the participation of all those involved in drawing up and implementing measures financed from the Fund.
Amendment 123 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
Amendment 128 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) [Proposal for a] Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) provides that products bought under public intervention may be disposed of by making them available for the scheme for food distribution to the most deprived in the Union if that scheme so provides. Given that, depending on the circumstances, obtaining of food from the use, processing or sale of such stocks might be economically the most favourable option, it is appropriate to provide for such a possibility in this Regulation. The amounts derived from a transaction concerning the stocks should be used for the benefit of the most deprived, and should not be applied so as to diminish the obligation of the Member States to co- finance the programme. In order to ensure the most efficient possible use of the intervention stocks and the proceeds thereof, the Commission should in accordance with Article 19(e) of the Regulation (EU) No [CMO] adopt implementing acts establishing procedures by which the products in intervention stocks may be used, processed or sold for the purposes of the most deprived programme.
Amendment 255 #
Amendment 257 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The co-financing rate at the level of the operational programme shall not be higher than 85be 100% of the public eligible expenditure.
Amendment 258 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Amendment 259 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19
Article 19
Amendment 7 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas a macro-regional strategy would be particularly well-suited to the Atlantic area, since it offers a common approach to tackling the common challenges and issues facing the Atlantic countries and regions;
Amendment 26 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that the territorial dimension of the strategy is essential and should focus on openboth on linking the Atlantic area with the centre of Europe and linking up the Atlantic regions and cities, connecting the transport, energy and information networks, developing the rural and urban parts of the hinterland, and improving land- sea links;
Amendment 30 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers it necessary to pursue balanced growth among the regions, both maritime and inland, and to foster the urban dimension of the macro-region;
Amendment 36 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for particular attention to be paid to regions affected by the restructuring of enterprises and sectors, and by the closure or relocation of enterprises, with the aim of promoting their re-industrialisation by generating synergies between port activity, logistics and the development of ancillary industries offering greater added value; also calls for a mechanism to be created for exchanging successful industrial practices among Atlantic Arc regions;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines that renewable marine energies comprise an industrial sector for the future that can combat climate change and the EU’s energy dependence; notes that the Atlantic area is particularly suitable for the development of these energiespromotion of new energy sources such as offshore wind energy using floating turbines and wave and tidal energy, and considers that public support is necessary to accompany private investment in these technologies;
Amendment 49 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights the role of tourism in the Atlantic regions, in particular the significant potential of the development of marine tourism; emphasises the importance of promoting socially and economically sustainable tourism and of protecting the Atlantic region's ecosystem and biodiversity;
Amendment 52 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to propose an action plan to implement the strategy from 2014 based on a system of multi-level governance in which regional and local public authorities, private sector stakeholders and civil society organisations are more closely involved;
Amendment 57 #
2011/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for the action plan to be linked to the EU’s regional policy and Integrated Maritime Policy; is of the opinion that efforts should also be made to facilitate synergies with other European policies in the areas of research and innovation, transport, the environment, energy, fisheries, agriculture and international cooperation;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
(B) Whereas the single market must ensure, also, a high level of protection for all consumers with a special focus devoted to vulnerable consumers and ofin order to strengthening their capabilities,
Amendment 12 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
(C) Whereas vulnerable consumers are a heterogeneous group comprised of persons who are considered as such because of their mental, physical or psychological disability, their age, their credulity or their education, or persons made vulnerable by their social and financial situation who require special protection and a specific strategy on the part of the authorities; whereas any consumer, at some point in his/her life, can become vulnerable because of external factors and interactions with the market,
Amendment 20 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the diversity of vulnerable situations hinders a uniform approach and has led the legislation as well as the policies in existence up to the present time to address the problem of vulnerability on a case by case basis;. In this context, the future of consumer policy and law should draw on general solutions that are fully based on the consumer's various needs and abilities.
Amendment 32 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Asks the Commission and encourages the Member States to maintain constant and close observation of social and consumer behaviour that may place certain groups or individuals in vulnerable situations in order to prevent such behaviour, and to put an end to vulnerability, when it occurs, through specific protection measures;reform of consumer protection to provide protection for all consumers, regardless of ability, and whatever stage of life.
Amendment 41 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business- to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market focusesintroduced the inssufficiently on the problem of vulnerability, limiting itself toe of consumer vulnerability focusing on 'undue influence' that could be exerted over consumers whose volition is not fully formed; however, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive only protected consumers' economic interests,
Amendment 48 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. RegretsPoints out that Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights, which is the most recent instrument devoted to the protection thereof, does not apply to certain sectors where a particular vulnerability exists, and does not contain a specific regulation in regard thereto, beyond a mention in Whereas clause 34;strengthens pre-contractual and contractual information requirements, articulating a stronger right of withdrawal when the provider or seller has failed to fulfil his legal obligation to provide said information, and requiring that it be conveyed in a clear and comprehensible manner; however, notes that the Directive does not apply to certain sensitive sectors as the financial sector or the transportation sector, where a particular vulnerability exists which must be tackled by appropriate and effective means,
Amendment 54 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that the efforts of the European Commission are centred principally on promoting consumer empowerment; although the Commission's concern that European consumers be better informed about their options and their rights is laudable, and all action in this regard contributes to a more efficient internal market, this focus is clearly insufficient to protect consumers in general and vulnerable consumers in particular, who require specific attention in order to develop a consumer policy for all European consumers;
Amendment 58 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that many consumers' vulnerability results precisely from their lack of assertiveness and comprehension of the information they receive or of the options available, or from their lack of awareness of the existing complaint and redress schemes, especiallyand that these barriers grow in the case of cross-border consumption and online, including online cross- border commerce;
Amendment 66 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that, in the case of contractual relations, the consumer frequently is the weaker party in such relations; when said party to said contracts is in a vulnerable situation, providers must be involved in the protection of said partythe consumer, and the authorities and administrations must provide incentives to such involvement;
Amendment 69 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that, in the case of contractual relations, the consumer frequently is the weaker party in such relations; when said party to said contracts is in a vulnerable situation, providers must be involved in thethe legislator must provide the necessary legal protection of said partythe consumers, and the authorities and administrations must provide incentives to such involvensure that the consumers are protected. It's considered as good business practice as a company to implement systems that contributes to all consumers' capacity to understand and assess an agreement;
Amendment 70 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 78 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Asks the European Commission and the Member States that the regulation of safety standards and conditions for certain products, especially those intended for use by consumers in vulnerable situations, consider not only the foreseen use but also the foreseeable use, and that quality requirements and protection measures be emphasised, notes that the foreseen use often does not address the specific risks that consumers in vulnerable situations might face; calls on the future revision of the General Product Safety Directive to focus on these abovementioned concerns;
Amendment 85 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Asks the Member States and the European Commission to devote their efforts to harmonismaking signage directed at citizens with disabilities accessible, including through standardization, and to promote the provision of information by companies in formats accessible to said citizens;
Amendment 86 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Amendment 99 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Deplores that advertising for food with high fat, salt and sugar content is aimed at children and young people, who increasingly suffer the consequences of sedentariness and obesity; calls on the actors involved to educate and inform minors and their caregivers about the importance of a balanced diet; in this regard it should be analysed in depth if there is a need for stricter rules regarding commercials aimed at children and young people;
Amendment 109 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Highlights the fact that advertisements for financial investment products often fail to sufficiently explain their underlying risks and overemphasise possible benefits that often fail to materialise, thereby exposing consumers of financial services products to loss of their capital; calls on the European Commission to introduce stricter advertising standards for sophisticated financial products aimed at retail investors who may not have a good understanding of financial risk, including the requirement to explicitly state any losses that the investor may incur.
Amendment 114 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that in spite of the existence of legislation on the subject, the lack of enforcement of said legislation means that travellers often find themselves in vulnerable situations, especially in case of cancellation or delay of their trip, which ismight be exacerbated when the consumer suffers from a disability; encourages the European Commission and the Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure inter alia transparency in fares, access to information and help;
Amendment 121 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Deplores that the digitalisation of services and the added cost that the management thereof poses for brick-and- mortar offices and stores may mean that senior consumers, who are the ones primarilyconsumers in situation of vulnerability, who are often affected by the digital divide, cannot take advantage of the benefits of online commerce and are also impacted by the ‘poverty premium’, paying more for the same products; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to boost consumer confidence while overcoming barriers to cross-border e- commerce through the development of a effective policy which pays special attention to the needs of vulnerable consumers;
Amendment 128 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines that unfortunately the liberalisation of the main supply markets, in genter al, has not resulted in a general lowering of prices, and has in fact resulted in added difficulty for the majority of citizens in knowing the best price, changing providers and understanding the items billedia the energy sector or the telecommunication sector has in fact resulted in added difficulty for consumers in general and vulnerable consumers in particular in knowing the fee that adapts best to their needs, changing providers and understanding the items billed; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to take the appropriate measures to ensure that consumers in general and vulnerable consumers in particular have access to clear, understandable and comparable information about fees, conditions and means of redress, and can easily switch providers;
Amendment 139 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to consider establishing free-of-chargeffective mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution with as low costs as possible for the complaints that can be activated automatically when a vulnerable consumer is involved, as well as for collective actions. In addition the rules for European collective actions should be designed specifically to assist vulnerable consumers to have their rights respected;
Amendment 143 #
2011/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Asks the European Commission and the Member States to collaborate in cooperation with the European Parliament on the adoption of a broad and coherent political and legislative strategy against vulnerability, especially in the Consumer Agenda and the Consumer Programme; underlines that the creation of a strategy for strengthening the rights of the most vulnerable consumers, in order to increase their participation in the Single Market, contributes not only to the social inclusion of such consumers and to advancement toward a more just and tolerant society, but also to ensuring a more dynamic, safe and competitive internal market; points out that this task should involve not only the authorities but also businesses and providers in order to facilitate a more transparent contractual balance.
Amendment 46 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. Wwhereas the Treaty stipulates that its provisions are to be applied to the outermost regions (ORs) in a differentiated manner and provides, under Article 349 of the TFEU, for special treatment and a specific framework for these regions, conferring onprovides, in Article 349, for a specific legal basis based on primary law, under which a specific legal status is reinforced for them ‘ outermost region status’s;
Amendment 81 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that other criteria should be used to determine the eligibility of ORs for the allocation of structural funds, given that the per capita GDP criterion does not provide an accurate reflection of their specific situation and is contrary to the spirit on which ‘outermost region status’ is based and the Treaty itself; calls therefore for the implementation of specific criteria, listing ORs among the least developed regions, regardless of their GDP giving an approach best adapted to their specific situation; stresses, therefore, that the co- financing rates in respect of the ORs should be 85 % for all instruments providing aid for those regions; calls for an extension of the period of implementation of these funds in the ORs with a view to more effective implementation;
Amendment 89 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Criticises the fact that, within the additional ERDF funding, the amounts to be allocated to the ORs have been reduced in the proposals for the financial period from 2014 to 2020 and considers that the financial arrangements for the implementation of EU 2020 should provide for access to EU funding that is at least equal to that available for the current financial framework; proposes that other criteria be used for the allocation of funding with a view to a more equitable distribution between these regions, as a fixed component to be uniformly allocated amongst themis concerned that this allocation, initially designed to compensate the effects of the structural disadvantages of the outermost regions has been altered to 50 % to meet different objectives; calls for this allocation to be increased to a co-financing rate of 85 %, as for ERDF mainstream; calls therefore for the financial arrangements for the implementation of EU 2020 should provide for access to EU funding that is at least equal to that available for the current financial framework;
Amendment 94 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Draws attention to the fact that in the proposal for a Regulation of the next ESF, the situation of ORs will not be referred to, considering not only the structural characteristics listed in Article 349 of the TFEU but also their specific economic situation which puts them among the regions with the highest unemployment rates in the EU;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that European taxation and customs policies should be adjusted in order to enhance the competitiveness of the outermost regions and that the existence of free zoneappropriate tax and customs frameworks is of paramount importance to the diversification of economic activity and the creation of skilustainabled jobs in the ORs;
Amendment 108 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Is in favour of the need for OR citizens to benefit from the advantages of the internal market on an equal footing with other EU citizens and calls for the adoption of measures in accordance with the recommendations of the Solbes report; calls for the possibility of developing a specific framework on state aid to ORs to be examined;
Amendment 117 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the need to maintain measures for the management and protection of marine resources, the promotion of aquaculture, and the reintroduction of the possibility of granting fleet renewal and modernisation aid, and calls for an increase in the compensation for additional costs in the POSEI fisheries programme;
Amendment 118 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. DCriticises the fact that the proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy does not take sufficient account of the situation of the ORs; draws attention to the marine dimension of the ORs and the importance of the fishing sector in view of their Exclusive Economic Zone, the potential of which should be reflected in concrete and coherent measures for a genuine marine economy and duly taken into account in the integrated European maritime policy; considers it essential to facilitate the connection between the ‘internal’ and ‘external’ aspects of the CFP for the ORs and to provide compensation measures aimed at repairing the damage caused by the conclusion of fisheries agreements.
Amendment 124 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Draws attention to the importance of the tourism sector and calls on the Commission to speed up the implementation of the European Action Plan and ensure more effective coordination of the existing funding lines, giving specialfic attention to the ORs;
Amendment 126 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises that the ORs wish to invest in a research and innovation strategy and in the growth of their business structure; argues for the creation of technological infrastructures and innovation hubs, the development of projects and partnerships with Scientific and Technological System organisations and the exchange of ideas and good practices through European innovation support networks and smart specialisation such as the S3 platform;
Amendment 132 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that a single European transport area should contribute towards the inclusive growth of the ORs and reduce their access gap; calls for the establishment of a specific framework to provide transport subsidies in the ORs, the establishment of logistical platforms and supports the implementation of projects such as Motorways of the Sea; highlights the possibilities of the Marco Polo programme for the ORs, calls on the Commission to increase the programme'’s flexibility and extend it after 2013 and calls for the Connecting Europe Facility to include specific references to the ORs; urges for ORs to be included in TEN-E networks and the new instrument aimed at facilitating European interconnections.
Amendment 135 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that the ORs'’ dependence on imported fossil fuels results in substantial additional costs; proposes strengthening the renewable energy sector through initiatives such as the ‘Pact of Islands’, aimed at developing local action plans for renewable energy and projects suitable for financing, in order to achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 20 % by 2020, and setting up a specific programme in the field of energy to reduce the costs due to remoteness, infrastructure and provision of services;
Amendment 136 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that the ORs'rs’ dependence on imported fossil fuels results in substantial additional costs; proposes strengthening the renewable energy sector and setting up a specific programme in the field of energy to reduce the costs due to remoteness, infrastructure and provision of services; in order to promote the ambitious policies the ORs have committed to on the development of renewable energy.
Amendment 138 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. UStresses the fact that Article 349 of the TFEU stipulates the adoption of specific measures aimed at lessening the impact of OR characteristics, including those needed to allow the ORs to fully participate on an equal footing with other regions, in all EU horizontal programmes; considers, nevertheless, that the implementation of this article was weak, restricting its scope to adapt these policies and to benefit from them; urges the Commission to establish a specific programme in the field of energy, transport and information and communications technology, similar to the POSEI arrangements, which will need to be in keeping with other European funds in these fields;
Amendment 151 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Advocates greater involvement of the regional authorities of the ORs in preparing and implementing European programmes, within a multi-level and partnership-based form of governance, and greater visibility of these regions in the EU institutions;
Amendment 154 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Points to the role of the ORs as EU borders with the rest of the world and advocates an approach, particularly through pursuing the reflections of the Commission in partnership with the ORs, that recognises their closeness to EU third countries and, including to the countries with which they have special cultural and historical links; draws attention to their integration problems in their respective geographical areas, and the need to find specific innovative schemes which encourage real regional integration through shared programmes and projects between the ORs and neighbouring third countries and to help establish good connections between respective geographical areas; highligts the need to carry out studies to measure the impact of international trade agreements and their impact in relation tof the external aspects of some EU policies;
Amendment 163 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for the continuation of territorial cooperation programmes in the ORs and advocates increased funding for programmes,relaxed regulations aimed at using more effectively the available funding and completing projects as well as raising the ERDF co-financing rate to 85 % for greater investment in transnational cooperation and the removal, in the case of the ORs, of the 150km criterion for sea-borders in cross-border cooperation;
Amendment 167 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recalls the key role the ORs could play in development cooperation in key cooperation platforms with their third country neighbours as well as regions which could carry out important work in fostering development in their geographical environment.
Amendment 169 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that other EU regions Danish, French and Dutch overseas territories referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 355 of the TFEU can choose to become ORs, opting for whichever status is most appropriate to their situation, and draws the attention of the current ORs to the decisive role they can play in promoting and consolidating their status;
Amendment 51 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Supports the implementation of a macro-regional strategy for the Mediterranean basin, so as to offer a common perspective for addressing the common and problematic challenges facing the Mediterranean countries and regions and to give structure to this key area for Europe’s future, and calls on the Council and the Commission to facilitate the emergence thereof;
Amendment 55 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes the view that a macro-regional strategy that involves European, national, regional and local authorities, regional organisations, financial institutions, and NGOs from the European side of the Mediterranean basin, and that is open to neighbouring countries and/or countries at the pre-accession stage, would significantly improve territorial cooperation in this area in political and operational terms; stresses the importance of drawing on the experience, existing resources and achievements of existing regional organisations;
Amendment 62 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Hopes that macro-regional strategies that have significantinclude maritime aspects and that take into account island terri, the territorial dimension, regional connections, urban and rural development, the promotion of sustainable touries and their development needs will also emerge for the western and eastern Mediterraneansm, the protection of the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the Mediterranean region will emerge as soon as possible for the western and eastern Mediterranean; asks that they take into account island territories and their development needs;
Amendment 71 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the involved Member States, to encourage thehe Commission and the Council, in line with the existing cooperative spirit, that has emerged during the drafting of the present report, ando focus their efforts on drafting and implementing this macro-strategy; urges the future Cypriot Presidency of the EU to supportmake this project a priority;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines the importance of uniform enforcement across Member States and effective, dissuasive and proportionate penalties in order to create powerful economic incentives for the air carriers, as well as for the other actors involved, to comply with the provisions;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Taking into account the fact that the lack of information to passengers is a major obstacle to the effective application of Regulation 261/2004, it stresses the fact that it is necessary to ensure that passengers, particularly those in the most vulnerable positions, receive timely and accurate information in order to assess whether their rights have been properly respected and to know where to turn to in case of dissatisfaction;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that enforcement actions are rarely carried out and vary widely across Member States; therefore encourages the Commission to work in cooperation with the competent authorities and National Enforcement Bodies (hereinafter referred as "NEBs") in order to promote a uniform sanctioning and monitoring of infringements;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Notes that the process of a possible revision of Regulation 261/2004 and Regulation 1107/2006 will take time to complete; therefore calls on the Commission to consider introducing complementary interim measures to improve the application and enforcement of these Regulations. These may include keeping updated and published on the EC's website the informative documents on air passengers' rights, as well as fostering discussions and collaboration between Member States, NEBs, consumer organizations and airlines in order to disseminate best practices and build agreement on the controversial parts of the legislation;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that the scope, definition and identification of what is covered by the term "extraordinary circumstance" must be clearly stated in any future amendment of Regulation 261/2004 in order to prevent airlines from making abusive claims of the circumstances that led to cancellations or delays. It further invites the Commission to reassess the unlimited liability of air carriers regarding the right to care under extraordinary circumstances beyond the carrier's control;
Amendment 14 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the Commission's commitment to analyse and revise the existing Regulations on air passenger rights aiming to improve the situation of passengers especially in the cases of long delay or cancellation; Believes that proper application of the existing rules by Member States and carriers, enforcement of sufficient and simple means of redress and providing passengers with accurate information concerning their rights should be the cornerstones of regaining passengers' trust;
Amendment 16 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that a clear definition must be given for the most recurring terms which serve to establish the carrier's liability and/or the appropriate rights for passengers. This includes the terms "flight", "re-routing", "connection", "diversion", "cancellation", "long delay", "schedule" and "final destination";
Amendment 19 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Appreciates the diversity of passenger rights depending on the different mode of transport such as rail, air, sea and inland amongst others; However believes that a holistic approach is needed to integrate all passenger rights namely the right of compensation, reimbursement, information, amongst others into one comprehensive, consolidated legislative framework;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Emphasizes the widespread proliferation of unfair contract terms in air transport contracts and an increase in national case law prohibiting certain terms regularly used by airlines; thus urges the Commission to address this issue by black-listing specific unfair terms in the air transport sector. In particular it invites the Commission to include under the scope of Regulation 261/2004 the contractual issues related to the transferability of tickets, force majeure circumstances, the unilateral rescheduling of flights, the prohibition to use tickets separately unless based on very limited and objective "no show" criteria, mishandled/delayed/damaged luggage and the unreasonable restrictions on hand luggage;
Amendment 22 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Notes that recent rulings of the European Court of Justice concerning passenger entitlement to compensation in the event of delays confirm the principle of equal treatment of cancelled flights and flights delayed for more than 3 hours; therefore urges the Commission to propose measures for the compensation of passengers whose flights have been delayed for more than 3 hours, without cancelling the right to be transferred to the next available flight;
Amendment 24 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2e. Suggests that further research could be carried out to examine the opportunity and feasibility of establishing one single legislative instrument comprising all provisions and principles on consumer rights in civil aviation in order to reduce fragmentation and reconcile inconsistencies across the different areas of passenger rights;
Amendment 25 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that existing commercial practices can make(such as check-in fees, priority boarding fees, card-payment fees, luggage fees, fees for complying with EU legislation or the blocking of double the amount of the price of the ticket from the passenger's bank account for a certain period of time) lead to substantive differences between the advertised and the final price thus making it difficult for consumers to understand or foresee all the components making up final air fares and therefore stresses the need to ensure price transparency, such asimilarly to the provisions on passenger transport services in the recently adopted Consumer Rights Directive;
Amendment 28 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Without prejudice to the freedom of airlines to freely set fares and rates, non- optional services which are an inseparable part from travelling by air, such as check-in or at least 1 item of checked luggage, should not be subject to additional fees;
Amendment 34 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to ensure consistency between the different legislations on air passenger rights and in particular between the legal protection for package travellers and the lack of similar protection for seat-only passengers, thus following travel market trends whereby consumers increasingly arrange their travel themselves and avoiding any discrimination against passengers based on type of ticket purchase or unfair competition between the different service providers (air carriers, travel agencies or tour operators); In particular, it urges the Commission to propose binding measures ensuring that passengers buying seat-only seats are equally effectively protected in case of airline insolvency, as package travellers are already;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is of the opinion that introducing a strict definition of what is understood by a "disabled person" or a "person with reduced mobility" will undermine the purpose of the current definition to provide broad assistance to the relevant groups requiring special assistance; but nevertheless suggests to consider whether elderly people who do not have reduced mobility, pregnant women and unaccompanied children should be included in the definition, possibly under the term "passengers with special needs";
Amendment 42 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Emphasises the need to provide special protection for vulnerable consumer groups, especially disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility; points out that these vulnerable groups need additional guarantees when exercising their rights as passengers and calls on the Commission, the Member States and the air carries to enforce those rights;
Amendment 44 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Commission to introduce binding measures for airlines and airports to harmonize their policies, especially with regards to booking procedures, procedures to ask for assistance and security control policies, and to provide better information on these issues from the time of booking until Passengers with Reduced Mobility (hereinafter referred as "PRMs"), and eventually Passengers with Special Needs, leave the airport at their destination point in order to guarantee equal travel opportunities and non-discrimination and to enable PRMs to know what to expect from the different airlines and at the different airports;
Amendment 45 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Highlights the fact that the training of air carrier and airport personnel plays a key role for guaranteeing the effective implementation of all parts of Regulation 1107/2006 and is the most cost-efficient means for ensuring non-discrimination; therefore stresses that adequate training of personnel at airports and on board the aircraft must be provided in close cooperation with representative organizations of persons with reduced mobility;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Emphasises the fact that there is a need to ensure that mobility equipment is not considered and/or treated as ordinary luggage, but as an indispensable tool for independence which is irreplaceable for the passenger; for this reason it underlines that mobility equipment should be handled with care by trained personnel according to strict and harmonized procedures for boarding and disembarking, allowing passengers to use this equipment as long as possible;
Amendment 48 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 f (new)
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5f. Believes that it is essential to ensure that people who need medical oxygen when travelling, obese passengers and passengers who are required to travel with an assistant are not required to pay additional charges or denied boarding unless on strictly safety grounds;
Amendment 50 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to propose measures for setting up harmonised and accessible complaint handling procedures and means of redress which will ensure the effective protection of the rights of passengers and will guarantee that they receive the compensation they are entitled to in a timely and efficient manner;
Amendment 53 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to explore the possibility to create a central EU unit that should ensure uniform and speedy enforcement of the consumers' passenger rights as air travellers;
Amendment 55 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes that the deadlines by which carriers and National Enforcement Bodies respond to passengers are too long and they differ significantly from one carrier/NEB to another and for this reason invites the Commission to set fixed deadlines for responding to passengers' complaints, similarly to other Regulations on passengers' rights;
Amendment 58 #
2011/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Underlines that air carriers must ensure the presence of at least one representative and/or complaint desk at each airport that they operate from to provide immediate assistance to passengers who have experienced a disruption of their flight(s) or whose rights have been violated;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
7 C. whereas consumers do not form one single homogenous group, and whereas these conditions of inequality between consumers, especially in regard to the most vulnerable consumers, need to be addressed in the Consumer Agenda,
Amendment 108 #
2011/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
51 12. Emphasises the need to provide better protection for vulnerable consumer groups, such as children and the elderly; points out that children are exposed to extensive adv, the elderly and the disabled, among others; points out that these vulnerable groups need additional guarantees when exertcising even though they have no possibility to make informed choicestheir rights as consumers and urges the Commission to include the protection of vulnerable consumers among the main priorities of the Consumer Agenda;
Amendment 113 #
2011/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Commission to include the protection of children among the main priorities of the Consumer Agenda and propose a ban on TV advertising and direct advertising aimed at children under the age of 12, establishing for this purpose codes of conduct to regulate commercial communications on food and drink which target children under the age of 12, in order to help prevent obesity and promote healthy living; calls on the Commission to protect children from advertising through the promotion also of a code of conduct that encourages audiovisual commercial communications that do not cause moral or physical detriment to children;
Amendment 136 #
2011/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that it is vital that the Commission should also address the importance of not just food labelling in the Consumer Agenda; , but also textile labelling, with the aim of promoting a harmonised size system based on body measurements; 63
Amendment 144 #
2011/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Urges the Commission to protect consumers by taking stringent measures to preduce the presence of artificial transfats in fvent obesity and improve eating habits, especially during early childhood;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that greater coordination is needed between the future ‘Common Strategic Framework’ for regional policy and the future ‘Common Strategic Framework’ for research and innovation programmes, reiterates that this coordinated action must strive to involve regional and local authorities more in the design and execution of these policies and to tailor the priorities more to the specific needs of each region; calls on the Commission to set out how this is to be achieved in practice;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the regions, in line with the ‘smart specialisation’ approach, to develop tailored innovation strategies; calls on the Commission therefore to encourage the EU’s research programmes and funds to coordinate with the Structural and Cohesion Funds; stresses that territorial cooperation must be optimised with a view to greater complementarity between regions;
Amendment 38 #
2011/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that innovation above all lies at the interface with practice; recommends, therefore, as the necessary complement to excellence in research, placing the focus of regional support on support for applications, without preventing research capacity from being built up, in order above all to enable companies, and especially SMEs, to develop innovative methods;
Amendment 44 #
2011/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that research and innovation play a fundamental role which creates a more sustainable urban development, promotes the wellbeing of the population and is based on environmental and social sustainability and energy efficiency; recommends therefore that regional aid promotes this goal;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. In the light of the need to improve the extent to which SMEs are benefiting from support for research and innovation, considers that this should be made a focus of cohesion policy, for example in relation to internationalisation or promotion of entrepreneurshipsince they are the main providers of employment in the EU, considers that cohesion policy needs to support SMEs’ access to funding and reduce the burden of bureaucracy to which beneficiaries are subjected;
Amendment 62 #
2011/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission, despite the differences in systems of governance, to aim to achieve maximum harmonisation of rules for the funding of programmes; considers that, in line with the existing general framework for budgetary adjustments, there should be a commitment to optimising funding by encouraging international coordination between national and regional funding agencies in order to develop a strategic research and innovation agenda approve at European level;
Amendment 77 #
2011/2084(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Takes the view that efficient regulation of the Internet gambling marketsector should in particular:
Amendment 137 #
2011/2084(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Respects the decision by a number of Member States to ban Internet gambling totally; is opposed to governm or impose certain restrictions or event monopolies overn on-line gambling, however;
Amendment 152 #
2011/2084(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Insists, however, that Member States which open up the Internet gambling market must ensure complete transparency and make non-discriminatory competition possible; suggests, in this instance, to the Member States that they introduce a licensing model which makes it possible for any European gambling provider meeting the conditions imposed by Member States to apply for a licencees with restrictions which should, however, be transparent, non-discriminatory, and designed to further the public interest and consumer protection;
Amendment 29 #
2011/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the direct payments scheme should be retained in order to continue to ensure competitiveness, economic stability, decent farm incomes and the sustainable development of the EU farm sector, as well as EU food and environmental security, thus ensuring that other policies and strategies, including the Europe 2020 strategy, may be properly implemented; considers, in this connection, that objective and transparent criteria need to be drawn up to ensure the provision of an appropriate level of direct support throughout the EU and to move away from the criteria used to date for allocating funding, after a sufficient transitory period, from the criteria historically used to calculate funding allocated under the direct payments scheme;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out the fundamental need to attract two priority groups – women and young people – to rural activities and to offer them new, alternative economic activities with a view to curbing the depopulation of rural areas and ensuring a sustainable rural population;
Amendment 14 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
- having regard to the Communication from the Commission of 26 May 2004 on ‘A stronger partnership for the outermost regions’ (COM (2004) 343) and the Communication from the Commission of 17 October 2008 on ‘The outermost regions: an asset for Europe’ (COM(2008) 642),
Amendment 55 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the external dimension of cohesion policy remains underexploited, particularly with regard to the remote and outermost regions; whereas the weak budgetary capacity of certain third countries can limit their ability to cofinance certain projects;
Amendment 97 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises the special needs of regions particularly disadvantaged by virtue of their geographical situation or natural environment; reiterates its call for special forms of preference to continue to apply in respect of those types of region, mentioned in Articles 349 and 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which are particularly disadvantaged (outermost regions, and northernmost regions with very low population density and island, mountain and cross-border regions);
Amendment 137 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Sees macroregional strategies as affording a major opportunity to harness forms of trans-regional potential and adopt a joint approach to challenges stemming from the natural environment, e.g. in relation to environmental protection; considers that better coordination of existing support mechanisms can create scope for more targeted use of the EU structural funds, without this entailing an increase in the allocation of resources earmarked for these fields of inter- regional cooperation;
Amendment 335 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
Amendment 432 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers that the maximum level of support must not exceed 75%, otherwise applications will be driven less by the case for the projects than by the prospect of the funding they can attractalls on the Commission to examine and to establish the most appropriate maximum level of support on the basis of a thorough analysis of the development situation and the specific needs of the regions in the framework of each objective, in order to ensure that applications will respond to the real needs of each region and will aim to sustainable results in a long-term perspective; calls for it to be made easier for regions to use private co- financing and market-oriented credit options to cover their share of project financing;
Amendment 458 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Recognises the leverage effect of new financial instruments and their potential to mobilise investment, subject to administrative simplification and the provision of legal certainty regarding their creation and termination, supports increased financing from credit in principle, and calls for the use of revolving financial instruments to be extended to more areas eligible for funding (including research and infrastructure); calls for procedures to be simplified to that end and for a greater degree of legal certainty throughout the entire funding period; takes the view that at the end of a funding period, at the latest, responsibility for how the funds are spent should transfer to national level or project level;
Amendment 556 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57a. Deplores the failure to make use of synergies between cohesion policy and cooperation funds such as the DCI and the EDF; calls for the opportunities for cross-financing with such funds to be increased;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the upgrading and renewal of energy infrastructure, together with the promotion of trans-European energy networks and renewable energy sources, are essential factors for achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy; notes that regional and local authorities play the most important role in the authorisation processes as well as in promoting European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) to the general population;
Amendment 25 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that cooperation between regions in the Member States and in the EU is a necessary component for successful implementation of EIPs and takes the view that macro-regional strategies, which should be extended in future to cover other geographical areas, can serve as cooperation platforms for cross-border projects;
Amendment 37 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the EU and the Member States to set binding targets for interconnections between Member States, whether through specialised regional platforms or under regional initiatives, with a view to facilitating the planning, implementation, and oversight of the priorities charted and to drawing up investment plans and specific projects;
Amendment 38 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Points out that the geographical obstacles inherent in their location make islands and mountain areas very difficult to integrate into the EU energy network; calls, therefore, for an EU-wide strategy to address the problems of sparsely populated regions and for that strategy to be based on greater diversification of energy sources and the promotion of renewables so as to reduce dependence on imported energy;
Amendment 42 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Insists on the integrity of cohesion policy and calls on the Commission to refrain from creating new sectoral funds, e.g. for energy or climate; encourages the Commission to learn from experience with cohesion policy when establishing measures for energy policy, in particular with regard to project selection, and points to the importance of providing the financing required to attain the goals laid down;
Amendment 46 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on relevant partners to better promote and profit from the benefits JESSICA and ELENA can provide for urban energy infrastructureto help cities and regions embark on viable investment projects in the fields of energy efficiency, clean-burning and renewable energy sources, and sustainable urban transport; points out the potential of cross- border funding with neighbouring countries in the framework of the ENPI;
Amendment 56 #
2011/2034(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that incentives in national regulatory systems are still insufficient, especially for higher-risk and innovative projects such as smart grids; stresses that national regulatory frameworks need to be adjusted; calls on the Commission to consider whether to set up a system of rewards and incentives for Member States and regions which not only help to ensure that projects of European interest are processed more swiftly, but also promote technology-oriented investment and qualitative improvement and innovation in energy infrastructure;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to make full use of the changes introduced by Article 260(3) TFEU, in order to encourage Member States to transpose directives within the deadlines laid down by the legislator and hence to ensure that EU legislation is genuinely effective; calls on the Commission to provide information on the use of this new discretionary power, with a view to guaranteeing greater transparency;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that too many infringement proceedings take a long time before closed or brought before the Court of Justice; calls on the Member States and the Commission to intensify their efforts to resolve infringement proceedingsinitiate preventive measures and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) measures, in order to resolve infringement proceedings speedily and avoid overburdening the Court of Justice;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 11 #
2011/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the Commission to support and encourage the establishment of a collective redress mechanism, along the lines of the European Parliament resolution of 26 March 2009, in order to raise consumer confidence in the single market, as has been requested for some time by citizens and consumer organisations;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas professional mobility is a key factor for economic development and sustainable economic recovery,
Amendment 8 #
2011/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas changing labour markets call for more transparency, simplification and flexibility in the rules on the recognition of professional qualifications,
Amendment 42 #
2011/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that compensation measures, which allow competent authorities to impose an aptitude test or an adaptation period of up to three years and play an invaluable role in ensuring consumer and patient safety, can be applied in a disproportionate mannermust be reviewed in order to assess their suitability and resolve existing problems; calls for enhanced transparency of decision-making for professionals and an evaluation of the Code of Conduct to assist competent authorities;
Amendment 76 #
2011/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the call from stakeholders to place greater emphasis on continuous professional development (CPD); calls for the Commission to clarify the definition of CPD and standardise the various CPD systems existing in the Member States; encourages competent authorities to provide information on CPD during the recognition process and to exchange best practices in this area;
Amendment 102 #
2011/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Argues that language competence is crucial in facilitating a professional’s integration in another country, ensuring the quality of the services provided and protecting consumer and patient safety; calls on the Commission therefore to clarify and standardise language proficiency criteria in each Member State;
Amendment 494 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22 – point d (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22 – point d (new)
(7a) In all cases the minimum competence required of nurses responsible for general care shall be as follows: Decision making Nurses shall have competence to take full responsibility for the diagnosis, planning, administration and evaluation of nursing care and to care for patients, using the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired and developed during their training, and based on the best scientific evidence and taking into account the nursing code of conduct. Cooperation and team work Nurses shall have competence to work effectively with other parties in the health sector, including monitoring nursing assistants or other healthcare workers, using the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired and developed during their training, and based on the best scientific evidence and taking into account the nursing code of conduct. Health promotion and guidance Nurses shall have competence to empower individuals, families and groups to adopt healthy lifestyles and self-help, using the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired and developed during their training, and based on the best scientific evidence and taking into account the nursing code of conduct.
Amendment 548 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 32
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 32
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 46 – paragraph 1 – point (b)
Article 46 – paragraph 1 – point (b)
(b) at least five years of full-time study at a university or comparable teaching institution leading to successful completion of a university-level examination and at least one year of remunerated traineeship.
Amendment 77 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) The elimination of direct and indirect obstacles to the proper functioning of the internal market and improving citizens' trust and confidence in the system, in particular when buying cross-border, is essential for the completion of the internal market. The Union should aim to create the right market conditions by empowering consumers with sufficient tools to make considered and informed decisions.
Amendment 79 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The Consumer Programme 2014- 2020 should ensure a high level of protection for all consumers, with a special focus on vulnerable consumers in order to take into account their specific needs and strengthen their capabilities, as called for in the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of 8 May 2012 on a strategy for strengthening the rights of vulnerable consumers.
Amendment 80 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) The Consumer Programme 2014- 2020 should provide adequate support to consumer organisations taking into account their major role in circulating information to consumers about their rights, supporting consumers in consumer disputes, and promoting consumer interests in the construction of the internal market.
Amendment 81 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) It is important to improve consumer protection. To achieve this general objective, specific objectives should be set as regards safety, consumer information and education, rights and redress as well as enforcement in respect of consumer rights. The value and impact of the measures taken under the Programme should regularly be monitored and evaluated in order to better understand consumer behaviour and market malfunctioning, and facilitate smarter policy design. The Commission should submit an annual monitoring report to the European Parliament, which should be accompanied, where appropriate, by proposals for future adjustments of the Programme. For the purposes of evaluating consumer policy indicators should be developed.
Amendment 90 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
(c) Objective 3 - rights and redress: to consolidatstrengthen and reinforce consumer rights in particular through regulatory action and improving access to simple, efficient, expedient and low-cost redress including alternative dispute resolution for resolving domestic and cross-border disputes.
Amendment 91 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – paragraph 1
This objective will be measured in particular through the recourse to alternative dispute resolution to solve cross-border or domestic disputes and through the activity of a Union-wide on-line dispute resolution system, and by the percentage of consumers and traders that use alternative dispute resolution or other forms of redress in an attempt to resolve disputes.
Amendment 101 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point 7
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point 7
(7) enhancing consumer educationand business education about consumer rights;
Amendment 105 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point 9
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point 9
(9) facilitating access to and monitoring of the functioning and the effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms for consumers, in particular of alternative dispute resolution schemes, including on- line, also through the development and maintenance of relevant IT tools, and paying specific attention to ensure that vulnerable consumers' needs and rights are adequately taken into account;
Amendment 107 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point 9 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point 9 a (new)
(9a) involvement of consumer organisations in the practical organisation of and participation in the ADR schemes, especially when the consumer organisation is meant to provide representation and expertise to a board of an ADR body;
Amendment 108 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point 9 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point 9 b (new)
(9b) organisation and coordination of existing resources and contact points, facilitating the provision of proper information to citizens;
Amendment 116 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 5 – point c a (new)
Annex I – point 5 – point c a (new)
(ca) financing mechanisms for the support of consumer organisations.
Amendment 127 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 9 – point b a (new)
Annex I – point 9 – point b a (new)
(ba) financial support for the participation of consumer organisations in ADR bodies;
Amendment 130 #
2011/0340(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 11 a (new)
Annex I – point 11 a (new)
11a. Financial support for the co- ordination and networking of consumer organisations to undertake joint action against unfair business practices with a Union dimension.
Amendment 879 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Annex I – Volume 16/33
add the following rail freight transport sections to the core network: – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Granada – Motril – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – León – Gijón / Avilés – Palencia – Santander – Madrid – Cáceres – Mérida – Mérida – Badajoz – Portuguese border – Mora – Ciudad Real – Mérida
Amendment 881 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Amendment 891 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the core network: – Madrid – Toledo – Madrid – Alcázar – Albacete – Murcia – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Avilés – Oviedo – Bilbao – Santander – Oviedo – El Ferrol – A Coruña – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – Mora – Alcázar – Linares – Moreda/Jaén/Córdoba – Ourense – Vigo (via Cercedo) – Ourense – Monforte – Lugo – A Coruña – Palencia – Santander – Segovia – Ávila – Sevilla – Cádiz – Sevilla – Huelva – Portuguese border – Valencia – Alicante (along the coast) – Motilla – Albacete – La Encina – Santiago – Vigo – Portuguese border – Granada – Motril – Antequera – Málaga – Madrid – Ávila – Salamanca – León – Monforte – Torralba – Soria – Castejón – Plasencia – León – Gijón
Amendment 892 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the comprehensive network: – Almendricos – Águilas – Barcelona – Massanet – Barcelona – Puigcerdá – Játiva – Alcoy – Lleida – Manresa – Barcelona – Los Rosales – Zafra – Madrid – Burgos – Villalba – Segovia
Amendment 170 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Article 174 of the Treaty provides that, in order to strengthen its economic, social and territorial cohesion, the Union shall aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, particularly rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with low population density as well as island, border and mountain regions. Also, for the purpose of maximising the effectiveness of the funds, where applicable, disadvantaged urban areas and remote border cities should be taken into account. Article 175 of the Treaty requires that the Union would support the achievement of these objectives by action it takes through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section, the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Investment Bank and other instruments.
Amendment 178 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The outermost regions should benefit from specific measures and sufficient additional funding to take into consideration the social and economic structural circumstances and to offset the handicaps resulting from the factors referred to in Article 349 of the Treaty.
Amendment 195 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In the context of its effort to increase economic, territorial and social cohesion, the Union should, at all stages of preparation and implementation of the CSF Funds covered by the CPR, aim at eliminating inequalities and promotingensuring genuine and effective equality between men and women, as well as combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Amendment 223 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Member States should concentrate support to ensure a significant contribution to the achievement of Union objectives in line with their specific national and, regional and local development needs. Ex ante conditionalities should be defined to ensure that the necessary framework conditions for the effective use of Union support are in place. The fulfilment of those ex ante conditionalities should be assesswill be monitored by the Commission in the framework of its assessment of the Partnership Contract and programmes. In cases where there is a failure to fulfil an ex ante conditionality, the Commission should have the power to suspend payments to the programme, for the purpose of ensuring the necessary framework setting for the effective use of Union funds.
Amendment 231 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A performance framework based on positive incentives should be defined for each programme with a view to monitoring progress towards the objectives and targets set for each programme over the course of the programming period. The Commission should undertake a performance review in cooperation with the Member States that require it, in 2017 and 2019. A performance reserve should be foreseen and allocated in 2019 where milestones set in the performance framework have been attained. Due to their diversity and multi- country character, there should be no performance reserve for 'European Territorial Cooperation' programmes. In cases where the shortfall in the achievement of milestones or targets is significant, the Commission should be able to suspend payments to the programme or, at the end of the programming period, apply financial corrections, in order to ensure that the Union budget is not used in a wasteful or inefficient way.
Amendment 240 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Establishing a closer link between cohesion policy and the economic governance of the Union will ensure that the effectiveness of expenditure under the CSF Funds is underpinned by sound economic policies and that the CSF Funds can, if necessary, be redirected to addressing the economic problems a country is facing. This process has to be gradual, starting with amendments to the Partnership Contract and to the programmes in support of Council recommendations to address macroeconomic imbalances and social and economic difficulties. Where, despite the enhanced use of CSF Funds, a Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic governance process, the Commission should have the right to suspend all or part of the payments and commitments. Decisions on suspensions should be proportionate and effective, taking into account the impact of the individual programmes for addressing the economic and social situation in the relevant Member State and previous amendments to the Partnership Contract. When deciding on suspensions, the Commission should also respect equality of treatment between Member States, taking into account in particular the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The suspensions should be lifted and funds be made available again to the Member State concerned as soon as the Member State takes the necessary action.
Amendment 290 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) In order to promote the Treaty objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion, the 'Investment for growth and jobs' goal should support all regions. To provide balanced and gradual support and reflect the real level of economic and social development, resources under that goal should be allocated from the ERDF and the ESF among the less developed regions, the transition regions and the more developed regions according to their gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in relation to the EU average. In order to ensure the long- term sustainability of investment from the Structural Funds, and to encourage the economic growth and social cohesion of the European regions, regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-–2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita has grown to more than 75 % of the EU-27 average should receive at least two thirds of their 2007-–2013 allocation for the purpose of consolidating the development achieved. Member States whose per capita gross national income (GNI) is less than 90 % of that of the Union average should benefit under the 'Investment for growth and jobs' goal from the CF. In the aim of reflecting the real impact of the crisis, it is necessary to revise the economic data used and introduce new criteria such as the rate of unemployment to allocate cohesion policy funds, and to introduce an adjustment clause that allows for revising the category of the regions during the period, depending on substantial changes in circumstances, so that greater support may be given to a region for any deterioration.
Amendment 298 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57 a (new)
Recital 57 a (new)
(57a) The Cohesion Fund should support the infrastructure projects planned by Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of [...], establish the Connecting Europe Facility, with a total amount of EUR XX that must be exclusively used for the benefit of eligible Member States for funding payable by the Cohesion Fund, and the cofinancing rates planned for the latter should be applied. The procedure for selecting projects should be completed in accordance with the objectives and the criteria established under Article [11] of Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility; however, until 31 December 2016, the selection of eligible projects for financing must be completed by respecting the national contributions transfered from the Cohesion fund to the Connecting Europe Facility.
Amendment 323 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
Recital 72
(72) With a view to strengthening accessibility and transparency of information about funding opportunities and project beneficiaries, in each Member State a single website or website portal providing comprehensible and easily accessible information on all the operational programmes, including the lists of operations supported under each operational programme, should be made available.
Amendment 354 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 93
Recital 93
(93) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to reduce disparities between levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, particular rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with low population density as well as island, border and mountain regions, and the outermost regions, disadvantaged urban areas and remote border cities, cannot be sufficiently achieved by Member States but can be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective,
Amendment 386 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 4
4. Member States and the bodies designated by them for that purpose shall be responsible for preparing and implementing programmes and carrying out their tasks under this Regulation and the Fund- specific rules at the appropriate territorial level, in accordance with the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Member State and subject to compliance with this Regulation and the Fund-specific rules.
Amendment 418 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) bodies representing civil society, including environmental partners, non- governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality andensuring genuine and effective gender equality between men and women and for fighting against non- discrimination.
Amendment 449 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 1
The Member States and the Commission shall ensure that effective and genuine equality between men and women and the integration of gender perspective is promotguaranteed in the preparation and implementation of programmes, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
Amendment 453 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 2
The Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to preventeliminate any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation and implementation of programmes, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
Amendment 652 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 16 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 16 – paragraph 1
Member States shall concentrate support, in accordance with the Fund-specific rules, on actions bringing the greatest added value in relation to the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, addressing the challenges identified in the country-specific recommendations under Article 121(2) of the Treaty and the relevant Council recommendations adopted under 148(4) of the Treaty, and taking into account national and regional needs. Nevertheless, the thematic concentration should be flexible enough to allow ESF interventions to be adapted to the needs and specific characteristics of each Member State and each region.
Amendment 683 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 17 – paragraph 5
Part 2 – article 17 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall assess the information provided on the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities in the framework of its assessment of the Partnership Contract and programmes. It may decide, wWhen adopting a programme, to suspend all or part of interim payments to the programme pendinghe Commission shall ensure the satisfactory completion of actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality. The failure to complete actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality by the deadline set out in the programme shall constitute a basis for suspending payments by the Commission.
Amendment 1022 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – point l
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – point l
l) the adequacy of planned measures to promote equal opportunitiesguarantee real and effective equality between men and women and to prevencombat discrimination;
Amendment 1197 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The three categories of regions are determined on the basis of how their GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2006 to 2008the latest available Union figures, relates to the average GDP of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 1202 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Cohesion Fund shall support those Member States whose gross national income (GNI) per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2007 to 2009the latest available Union figures, is less than 90 % of the average GNI per capita of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 1238 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
All regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-–2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27 shall receive an allocation under the Structural Funds equal to at least two thirds of their 2007-–2013 allocation with the goal of consolidating the development achieved.
Amendment 1262 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 2 – point b
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) eligible population, regional prosperity, unemployment rate, employment rate, educational level and school dropout rate, and population density for more developed regions;
Amendment 1300 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 4
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 4
Support from the Cohesion Fund under the Connecting Europe Facility shall be implemented in accordance with Article [131] of Regulation (EU) […]/2012 on establishing the Connecting Europe Facility35 in respect of projects listed in Annex 1 to that Regulation, giving greatest possible priority to projects respecting the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund. However, until 31 December 2016, the process of selecting eligible projects will respect strictly the allocations transferred from the Cohesion Fund to the ‘Connecting Europe’ Facility.
Amendment 1614 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The co-financing rate at the level of each priority axis of operational programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal shall be no higher than 75% %, except for less-developed regions as referred to in Article 82.2(a) and the outermost regions as referred to in Article 349 of the Treaty, for which a maximum rate of 85 % is set.
Amendment 1635 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c bis (new)
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c bis (new)
c a) remote border towns;
Amendment 1638 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c ter (new)
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c ter (new)
cb) other areas affected by severe demographic challenges.
Amendment 1897 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.2 – Paragraph 1.2.3
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.2 – Paragraph 1.2.3
Amendment 1915 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.3 – Paragraph 1.3.3
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.3 – Paragraph 1.3.3
1.3.3 Higher participation of women on an equal footing with men in the labour market, both as employers and employees, would invigorate the Union's economy. Unblocking the potential for such an increase in activity, by increasing the female employment rate is crucial for reaching the Europe 2020 employment targets. Barriers to women's labour market participation, must, therefore, be fully addressed. Member States and regions must ensure that in addition to the ESF, the ERDF, the CF, the EMFF and the EAFRD also finance activities that promote women's economic independence, contribute to attaining an appropriate balance between work and personal life and family life, and that advance women's opportunities as entrepreneurs. (Takes over paragraph 1.3.3 of the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF, but adds a reference to the fact that participation of women in the labour market must be accomplished on an equal footing with men.)
Amendment 1921 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.4 – Paragraph 1.4.2 a (new)
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.4 – Paragraph 1.4.2 a (new)
1.4.2a With a view to achieving these goals, it is important to take appropriate measures to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities during the preparation and implementation of programmes and operations co-financed by the by the Funds covered by the CPR.
Amendment 1925 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.5 – Paragraph 1.5.1
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.5 – Paragraph 1.5.1
1.5.1 Adapting to demographic change is one of the core challenges facing Member States and regions in the decades to come. The combination of a smaller working population and a higher share of retired people as well as the problems of population dispersion will place additional strains on Member States' welfare systems and thus on the Union's economic competiveness. (Takes over paragraph 1.5.1 of the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF, but adds a reference to the fact that the problems of population dispersion concrete.)
Amendment 1929 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.5 – Paragraph 1.5.4
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.5 – Paragraph 1.5.4
1.5.4 In drawing up their programmes, Member States and regions must take account of the long-term challenges of demographic change. In those regions most affected by demographic change, they must identify measures to: a) support demographic renewal through better conditions for families and an improved balance between working and family life; b) boost employment; raise productivity and economic performance through investing in education, research and innovation; c) focus on the adequacy and quality of education, social protection and social support structures; and d) ensure cost-effective provision of health care, social services and long-term care including investment in infrastructure. (Takes over paragraph 1.5.4 of the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF, but adds a reference to investing in innovation and on social protection.)
Amendment 1991 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 2 – Section 2.5 – Paragraph 2.5.4
Annex -I (new) – Part 2 – Section 2.5 – Paragraph 2.5.4
2.5.4 The Commission's White Paper on Transport sets out a vision for a competitive and resource-efficient transport system, highlighting that a significant reduction in greenhouse gases is required in the transport sector. For the Funds covered by the CPR, this means focusing on sustainable forms of transport and investing in areas that offer the greatest European added value, for example Trans-European Networks. Once identified, investments must be prioritised according to their contribution to accessibility and mobility, sustainability, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to the Single European Transport Area. (Takes over paragraph 2.5.4 of the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF, but adds a reference to accessibility.)
Amendment 58 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Article 176 of the Treaty provides that the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is intended to help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union. The ERDF therefore contributes to reducing the gap between the levels of development of the various regions and the extent to which the least favoured regions, including rural and urban areas, declining industrial regions, areas with severe and permanent natural and demographic handicaps, such as islands, mountainous areas, sparsely populated areas and, border regions and remote border regiotowns, are lagging behind.
Amendment 100 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The ERDF should address the problems of accessibility to, and remoteness from, large markets facing areas with an extremely low population density, as referred to in Protocol No 6 on special provisions for Objective 6 in the framework of the Structural Funds in Finland and Sweden to the 1994 Act of Accession. The ERDF should also address the specific difficulties encountered by certain islands, mountainous areas, border regions and, sparsely populated areas and remote border towns whose geographical situation slows down their development, with a view to supporting their sustainable development.
Amendment 101 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 bis (new)
Recital 10 bis (new)
(10 a) ERDF funds dedicated to transport infrastructure must be targeted at promoting EU social and territorial cohesion by reducing the differences in regional development, in particular by improving the accessibility and mobility of the population, and co-financing a more sustainable transport system with low carbon emissions. The ability to finance key transport infrastructure should continue to be possible for all regions without exception.
Amendment 104 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Specific attention should be paid to the outermost regions, namely by extending, on an exceptional basis, the scope of the ERDF to the financing of operating aid linked to the offsetting of the additional costdisadvantages resulting from their specific economic and social situation, which is compounded by the handicaps resulting from the factors referred to in Article 349 of the Treaty, namely their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate and their economic dependence on a few products, the permanence and combination of which severely restrain their development. In order to support the development of existing and new economic activities, at least 50 % of the specific additional allocation should be allocated to actions contributing to the diversification and modernisation of the economies of the outermost regions.
Amendment 124 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The ERDF shall contribute to the financing of support which aims to reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion by redressing the main regional imbalances through support for the development and structural adjustment of regional economies, including the conversion of declining industrial regions and regions lagging behind, as well as island, cross- border and mountain regions, sparsely populated regions and remote border towns.
Amendment 262 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) at least 80 % of the total ERDF resources at national level shall be allocated to the thematic objectives set out in points 1, 3, 4 and 47 of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR]; and
Amendment 290 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) at least 50 % of the total ERDF resources at national level shall be allocated to the thematic objectives set in out in point 1, 3, 4 and 47 of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR]
Amendment 552 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
(7) promoting sustainable and safe transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructure, in particular in peripheral and island regions:
Amendment 574 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point c
c) developing safe, environment-friendly and low-carbon transport systems and promoting sustainable urban mobility;
Amendment 591 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d a (new)
(d a) developing a safe transport network, in particular for achieving the goal of reducing the number of road victims by 50 %;
Amendment 596 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d b (new)
(d b) developing sustainable maritime and air transport systems for passengers and cargo, to make peripheral and island regions more accessible;
Amendment 751 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Operational programmes co-financed by the ERDF covering areas with severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps referred to in both Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in Article 111(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR] shall pay particular attention to improving the mobility and accessibility of said regions and addressing the specific difficulties of those areas.
Amendment 765 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The specific additional allocation for the outermost regions shall be used to offset the additional costs, linked to the handicaphandicaps resulting from the factors referred to in Article 349 of the Treaty, incurred in the outermost regions in supporting supporting the specific objectives of the Community strategy for these regions, and in particular:
Amendment 769 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
b) freight transport services and start-up aid for safe transport services;
Amendment 121 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
For cross-border cooperation, the regions to be supported shall be the NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along all internal and external land borders other than those covered by programmes under the external financial instruments of the Union, and all NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along maritime borders separated by a maximum of 150 km, without prejudice to potential adjustments needed to ensure the coherence and continuity of cooperation programme areas established for the 2007- 2013 programming period. This distance will not be applied to the outermost regions.
Amendment 122 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
For cross-border cooperation, the regions to be supported shall be the NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along all internal and external land borders other than those covered by programmes under the external financial instruments of the Union, and all NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along maritime borders separated by a maximum of 150 km, without prejudice to potential adjustments needed to ensure the coherence and continuity of cooperation programme areas established for the 2007- 2013 programming period. The maximum distance of 150 kilometres will not apply to the island regions inside the limits of its sea basin area for the purpose of promoting cooperation actions based on a common strategy within the functional area.
Amendment 162 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
In 2015 and 2016, the annual contribution from the ERDF to the programmes under ENI and IPA for which no programme has been submitted to the Commission by 30 June under the cross-border and sea-basin programmes under ENI and IPA shall be allocated to the internal cross-border cooperation programmes under paragraph 1(a) in which the Member State concerned participates.
Amendment 104 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship, and business creation and development, especially small and medium-sized businesses;
Amendment 238 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall supportensure transnational cooperation with the aim of promoting mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners from at least two Member States.
Amendment 252 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. By way of derogation from Article 87(1) of Regulation (EU) No […], operational programmes mayshould set out priority axes for the implementation of social innovation and transnational cooperation as referred to in Articles 9 and 10.
Amendment 254 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from Article 109(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the maximum co-financing rate for a priority axis shall be increased by at least ten percentage points, but not exceeding 100 %, where the whole of a priority axis is dedicated to social innovation or to transnational cooperation, or a combination of both.
Amendment 291 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
· above 540 years*
Amendment 304 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 3
Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 3
These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gendersex in order to show the impact of the interventions on men and women.
Amendment 320 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 bis (new)
Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 bis (new)
participants no longer receiving minimum incomes or other benefits following participation
Amendment 321 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 3 – paragraph 1
Annex 1 – point 3 – paragraph 1
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gendersex in order to show the impact of the interventions on men and women.
Amendment 331 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 a (new)
Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 a (new)
· participants who have reduced their level of social dependence in the six months following participation
Amendment 347 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 4 – paragraph 1
Annex 1 – point 4 – paragraph 1
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis or sub-priority. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis or sub-priority. All data are to be broken down by gendersex in order to show the impact of the interventions on men and women.
Amendment 67 #
2011/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) It is important that the management of the Common Fisheries Policy is guided by principles of good governance. Those principles include decision-making based on best available scientific advice, broad stakeholder involvement andt national, regional and local levels, active participation in drawing up, implementing and evaluating this policy and the adoption of a long-term perspective. The successful management of the Common Fisheries Policy also depends on a clear definition of responsibilities at Union, national, regional and local levels and on the mutual compatibility and consistency of the measures taken with other Union policies.
Amendment 75 #
2011/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Measures are needed to preducevent and eliminatreduce the current high levels of unwanted catches and discards. Indeed, unwanted catches and discards constitute a substantial waste and affect negatively the sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources and marine ecosystems as well as the financial viability of fisheries. An obligation to land all catches of managed stocks caught during fishing activities in Union waters or by Union fishing vessels should be established and gradually implemented in a planned manner.
Amendment 76 #
2011/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In view of the precarious economic state of the fishing industry and the dependence of certainmany coastal and island communities on fishing activities, it is necessary to ensurrevise the concept of relative stability of fishing activitieslty and to ensure the stability of fishing activities and the socio-economic viability of the sector and the regions that are dependent on it by allocating fishing opportunities among Member States, based on a predictable share of stocks for each Member State and the fishing capacity that they have.
Amendment 107 #
2011/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part I – Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Part I – Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) eliminatprevent and reduce unwanted catches of commercial stocks and gradually ensure that all catches of such stocks are landed;
Amendment 110 #
2011/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part I – Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Part I – Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) provide conditions for socially and economically sustainable and efficient fishing activities within an economically viable and competitive fishing industry;
Amendment 117 #
2011/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part I – Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
Part I – Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) broad involvement of stakeholders at all stages from conception to implementation of the measures and evaluation;
Amendment 103 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) In its Communication of 13 April 2011 entitled ‘Single Market Act - Twelve levers to boost growth and strengthen confidence’ (COM (2011)0206), the Commission promised to continue improving the ‘better protection of borrowers in the mortgage market’.
Amendment 104 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The financial crisis has shown that irresponsible behaviour by market participants can undermine the foundations of the financial system, leading to a lack of confidence among all parties, in particular consumers, and potentially severe social and economic consequences. Many consumers have lost confidence in the financial sector and borrowers have found their loans increasingly unaffordable, with defaults and forced sales rising. In view of the problems brought to light in the financial crisis and in the context of efforts to ensure an efficient and competitive internal market that ensures financial stability and consumer protection, the Commission has proposed measures with regard to credit agreements relating to residential immovable property, including a reliable framework on credit intermediation, in the context of delivering responsible and reliable markets for the future and restoring consumer confidence.
Amendment 121 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
This Directive develops a more transparent, efficient and competitive internal market, through consistent, flexible and fair credit agreements relating to residential immovable property, while promoting sustainable lending and borrowing and hence providing a high degree of protection to consumers.
Amendment 155 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
1. Member States shall determine measures to ease and promote understanding by consumers of their responsibilities with respect to borrowing and debt management, especially as regards credit agreements. 2. Member States shall ensure that information is accessible to all users, in order to prevent the absence of such information making consumers more vulnerable than normal, and shall particularly guarantee protection for consumers whose profiles make them especially vulnerable to credit agreements for residential immovable property.
Amendment 180 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall ensure that accessible and comprehensible general information about credit agreements is made available by creditors or, where applicable, credit intermediaries at all times in a durable medium or in electronic form.
Amendment 186 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j a (new)
ja) a warning, where applicable, concerning the risk of losing the residential immovable property in the event of non-observance of the commitments linked to the credit agreement when the credit is secured by a mortgage or another comparable security commonly used in a Member State on residential immovable property or secured by a right related to residential immovable property.
Amendment 188 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point k
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point k
(k) details on how to obtain information on tax obligations and reliefs on credit agreement interest or other public subsidies.
Amendment 261 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that the consumer has a statutory or contractual right to discharge his obligations under a credit agreement prior to the expiry of that agreement. In such cases, he shall be entitled to a reduction in the total cost of the credit, such a reduction consisting of the interest and the costs for the remaining duration of the contract.
Amendment 267 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States may provide that the exercise of the right refershall guarantee that cred ito in paragraph 1 is subject to certain conditions. Such conditions may include time limitations on thers do not penalise consumers who exercise of the right, different treatment depending on the type of the borrowing rate, or restrictions with regard to the circumstances under which the right may be exercised. Member States may also provide that the creditor should be entitled to fair and objectively justified compensation for potential costs directly linked to early repayment of the credit. In any event, if the early repayment falls within a period for which the borrowing rate is fixed, exercise of the right may be made subject to the existence of a special interest on the part of the consumer referred to in paragraph 1 and preserve the creditor’s indemnity whilst ensuring market efficiency.
Amendment 282 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
a) an assessment of consumer satisfaction with the ESISmpliance with the ESIS and consumer use, understanding and satisfaction thereof;
Amendment 21 #
2010/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that, in times of demographic change, the Roma population, which has been part of our common heritage for centuries, should be given the means through good quality education, decent housing and job opportunities to fully integrate the work place and contribute to economic development as foreseen in the EU 2020 strategy; calls on the Member States and the local and regional authorities, therefore, to increase their efforts now, by reinforcing their effective strategies for addressing effectively the specific circumstances (deep poverty, lack of education, poor health conditions) of marginalised communities, in order to ensure their social and economic integration;
Amendment 26 #
2010/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Member States and regional and local authorities to promote information and awareness campaigns to facilitate and improve access to education and other services, particularly in the field of health, social services, advice regarding welfare entitlements, especially women’s entitlements, child-related services, and services facilitating reintegration, with the emphasis on employment market re-entry and vocational training services;
Amendment 30 #
2010/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the need for more structured coordination of local, regional, national and European policies regarding the Roma community in order to make a sustainable impact and improve policy making at local, regional, national and European level; urges policy makers at every level to consult Roma communities, associations and NGOs which are seeking to uphold the rights of the Roma and secure their social and employment market reintegration, focusing in particular on women;
Amendment 4 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas there are already clear signs of a shortageunder-exploitation of non-seasonal sectors and of the need to increase and maintain the supply of skilled staff and trainees in the tourist industry,
Amendment 11 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for improvements inUrges the Commission and the Member States to lend support for the diversification, differentiation and specialisation of European tourism supply – including rural, food and cultural tourism – by promoting the training of professionals and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the tourist industry in order to make it easier for both skilled workers and people changing careers to find work in the industry;to find year-round work in the industry, and by stimulating initiative and innovation among SMEs and devising joint information and promotion campaigns paving the way for the introduction of common brands of tourism.
Amendment 11 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that tourism has a tangible impact on the economic, social and territorial cohesion of all the Member States; stresses also that tourism represents the main resource of some EU regions, such as islands, outlying regions, remote border towns and regions that are lagging behind economically, and that it has a direct impact on growth in other sectors; considers that tourism also offers an opportunity for economic recovery in regions affected by depopulation;
Amendment 23 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that social, economic and environmental sustainability are a prerequisite for developing and maintaining all tourism activity; urges the Commission to develop a ‘European label’ in order to create a profile for products and services of excellence and at the same time enhance Europe’s image worldwide; urges the Commission to rely on advice from those Member States with experience in the development, implementation and administration of tourist quality labels;
Amendment 24 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to support the proposal by the hotel industry to harmonise the classification of hotelsin that sector and to take legislative action if such harmonisation cannot be achieved throughout the EU;
Amendment 35 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that the development of sustainable and socially responsible forms of tourism would provide local economies with a lasting source of income and a means of promoting stable employment, while at the same time making it possible to safeguard and enhance the landscape and the cultural, historical and social heritage of every region;
Amendment 44 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to support barrier-free and age-adapted tourism andtourism via promotional and awareness-raising campaigns and the introducetion of a European quality label forcovering, inter alia, tourist destinations which make barrier- free travel possible for the elderlypeople with reduced mobility, including the elderly and children; notes that with this aim in view the Calypso programme should be assessed, in conjunction with stakeholders, and, if appropriate, continued.
Amendment 52 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the local and regional authorities to encourage and support the development of networks and the creation of partnerships for the exchange of good practice and the creation of common tourist labels; hopes that concrete initiatives will be undertaken in support of innovation and the development of new information technologies, and that access will be facilitated for stakeholders in the tourist industry, and particularly small– and medium–sized enterprises, to the relevant financial instruments;
Amendment 63 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it necessary to counterbalance the effects of seasonal tourism by diversifying tourism and through tourist specialisation, including via support for new forms of tourism such as health tourism, especially spa tourism, ecological and rural tourism, culinary tours, cultural tours and socially-responsible tourism, in particular when aimed at people with reduced mobility, young people, school pupils and the elderly, who constitute a market with huge growth potential; welcomes the positive results achieved by the CALYPSO programme and calls on the Commission to consider the possibility of extending it indefinitely;
Amendment 74 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for greater emphasis to be placed on quality of employment in the tourism sector, with a focus on training with a high language and technology content, on support for SMEs and entrepreneurship among women and young people, on labour force mobility thanks to various Community programmes and on combating undeclared work; encourages the Member States and local authorities to make use of the vocational training tools offered by the European Social Fund and by other Community and national instruments;
Amendment 80 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Member States to make optimum use of the European financial instruments available for the current financial programming period, in order to develop the competitiveness of the tourism sector and of tourist destinations; hopes that, as part of the cohesion policy review, the role of tourism as a means of redressing the social, economic and territorial balance will be upgraded; hopes that every form of funding the EU provides for tourism will be tied to the provision of services of excellent standard and quality and to sustainability.
Amendment 4 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas demographic change is characterised by population ageing and substantial migration flows both from third countries into the EU and within the EU from east to west and from rural to urban areas,
Amendment 31 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that a political framework for gender equality can help face demographic challenges; requests, therefore, that the issue of gender equality should be taken into consideration in all debates on regional policy, and in particular on all matters relating to demographic issues;
Amendment 41 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasises that one of the key ways to address the demographic challenge is to try and maintain a reasonable balance in the composition of the population by gender and age, so it is essential to encourage young people and women to stay in their places of origin through the guarantee of sufficient job opportunities and a decent supply of social and cultural services; stresses that the exodus of women belonging to economically active age groups results in the so-called ‘masculinisation’ of the rural population which, combined with the over-ageing population of women in single person households and the abandonment of farming, are the main causes of depopulation and economic decline in the EU's rural areas, with negative consequences for the quality of life of the community and demographic trends;
Amendment 77 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the competent national, regional and local authorities to put in place measures to enable people to reconcile work and family life, particularly more flexible working conditions and the sufficient provision of high-quality and affordable services to take care of children, the elderly and other dependents; emphasises that countries which have introduced proper policies on reconciling work and family life have managed to raise both labour market participation rates for men and women and birth rates, thus helping to anchor the local population;
Amendment 132 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Proposes that more funding should be provided for the integration of immigrantsthe most vulnerable groups in society, particularly women, who are often the victims of double discrimination: immigrants, minorities, people with disabilities, the long-term unemployed, people with few qualifications and other groups at risk of social exclusion, in order to dispel prejudices, and that training, advice and communal events to encourage exchanges, the granting of microcredits for commercial activities, access to new information technologies, etc. could be promoted;
Amendment 159 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers that demographic developments in the regions should be statistically measured; calls on the Commission to submit proposals to make local, regional and national databases on demographic development comparable, so that data can be evaluated at European level and that the exchange of best practices between States, regions and localities can be fostered and promoted;
Amendment 165 #
2010/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Member States and regional and local authorities to enhance cooperation with local and regional stakeholders on issues connected with demographic change;
Amendment 21 #
2010/0377(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Major accidents can have consequences beyond frontiers, and the ecological and economic cost of an accident is borne not only by the establishment affected but also by the Member state concerned. It is therefore necessary to take measures ensuring a high level of protection throughout the Union and to strengthen cooperation between the Member States and, for that reason, between the regional and local authorities, so as to prevent cross-border accidents and ensure coordinated response to major accidents.
Amendment 25 #
2010/0377(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that the information referred to in Annex V is intelligible and clearly worded, and permanently available to the public, including in an electronic format. The information shall be reviewed and where necessary updated at least once a year.
Amendment 27 #
2010/0377(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
a) all persons liable to be affected by a major accident receive regularly and in the most appropriate form, without their having to request it, intelligible and clearly worded information on safety measures and requisite behaviour in the event of an accident;
Amendment 28 #
2010/0377(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
b) the safety report is made available to the public upon request subject to Article 21(3); where Article 21(3) applies, an amended report in the form of a non- technical summary, which shall include at least general information on major- accident hazards, potential effects on human health and the environment and the requisite behaviour in the event of an accident, shall be made available;
Amendment 31 #
2010/0377(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 a (new)
Article 20 a (new)
Article 20a The Commission shall, on the basis of information submitted by Member States and the information held in data bases, submit reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the major accidents that have occurred within the European Union and their potential impact in terms of the effectiveness of this Directive. The Commission shall submit these reports every four years. However, following any accident classed as extremely serious in terms of numberd of victims or major damage to the environment, a report shall be drawn up with the aim of preventing possible new damage;
Amendment 41 #
2009/0006(COD)
Council position
Article 24 a (new)
Article 24 a (new)