16 Amendments of Heide RÜHLE related to 2013/2153(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Heading 1
Heading 1
on consumer protection in the context of some sectors of utility services
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. having regard to the lack of an adequate definition of 'utility' at Union level and the differing interpretations employed by the Member Statesfreedom of Member States to define, in conformity with Union law, what they consider to be services of general economic interest, how those services should be organised and financed, in compliance with the State aid rules, and what specific obligations they should be subject to;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. having regard to the particular importance of utility services, the need to guarantee consumers free access to such services and the need to lay down binding rulrinciple of free administration by national, regional and local authorities oin access to such services for vulnerable consumersconformity with national and Union law;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the existing legal framework is inadequate, and whereas binding rules are needed to guaranteeose authorities are free to decide how to manage best the execution of works or the provision of services, to ensure in particular a higher level of consumerquality, safety and affordability, equal treatment and the protecmotion and access to utilityof universal access and of user rights in public services;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that some utility services have common characteristics; urges that basic consumer rights which cover all utility services should be harmonised at Community level which are defined in the specific sectoral legislation;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that utility services are also services of general economic interest (SGEIs); calls onurges the Commission to propose as soon as possible a European legal framework for SGEIsfor every proposal in that area to take into account the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality as defined in Article 14 TFEU and in Protocol No. 26;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that all consumers, irrespective of their financial circumstances, should be guaranteed access to utility services and that special arrangements, such as exemption from charges, should be introduced for 'vulnerable consumers'; points out that any consumer may find him/herself in a situation in which he/she needs special protec; urges the Member States to implement the specific provisions for 'vulnerable consumers' as provided for in sectoral legislation;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that the liberalisation of energy markets has not systematically led to greater competition and lower prices for consumers and, from consumers' point of view, has made the range of services and tariffs available more confusing;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that energy poverty is on the increase in many Member States, and calls; welcomes the announcement onf the Commission and the Member States to address this problem, in particular because service providers are benefiting from cheap wholesale priceto analyse the impact and relationship of energy prices and costs in the Member States; points out that consumers should be made aware of how to reduce their energy use, via inter alia, information campaigns;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that many electricity providers refuse to make their data available for comparison purposes and that restrictive contract termination conditions and the lack of a straightforward procedure for concluding contracts make switching provider difficult; calls for measures to make it easier for consumers to switch providere fact that the existing criteria for the evaluation of the Internal Energy Market are not complete and do not sufficiently take into account restrictive contract termination conditions and the lack of a straightforward procedure for switching providers;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Takes the view that undertakings should be required to publish information about prices and price changes in a readily understandable form and that minimum standards are needed to govern the way accounts are drawn up; emphasises the fact that the Third Internal Energy Package already obliges the Member States to ensure this;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes the view that information asymmetry is putting consumers at a disadvantage; calls for the introduction of legal instruments which ensure that consumers receive comprehensive information;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. TPoints out that the Third Internal Energy Package asks the Member States to undertake a cost-benefit-analysis before starting the roll-out of smart metering; reminds that this cost-benefit analysis is an obligatory prerequisite before smart metering can be introduced and that smart metering cannot be rolled out without this analysis; takes the view that where smart metering is employed priority must be given to the benefits for customers and data protection and that the relevant costs must not be passed on to consumers;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes that in recent years the rights of consumers using transport services have been strengthened, but points out that local public transport has remained outside the scope of these measures;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Emphasises that high-quality, comprehensive and freely accessible local public transport constitutes a basic service which must also be made available in areas where it is less profitable; acknowledges the responsibility of Member States in that respect.