Activities of Malcolm HARBOUR related to 2013/2153(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on consumer protection – protection of consumers in utilities services PDF (167 KB) DOC (80 KB)
Amendments (10)
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the existing legal framework is inadequate, and whereas binding rules are needed to guarantee a higher level of a number of sectors have been developed to enhance consumer protection and ensure access to utilitkey services;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that consumer protection is effective only if consumers' rights can actually be enforced; emphasises the need to establish a legal framework for European class actioncalls, therefore, on the Member States to fully implement the provisions of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (2005/29/EC), the Directive on Misleading and Comparative Advertising (2006/114/EC) and the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU); highlights, in this context, the importance of alternative dispute resolution systems as efficient, cost-saving mechanisms for solving conflicts between both consumers and providers of utilities services and therefore calls on Member States to implement the recently agreed Directive on ADR (2013/11/EU) and Regulation on ODR (524/2013/EU), to help better enforce consumer rights;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that all consumers, irrespective of their financial circumstances, should be guaranteedhave access to utility services and that, in 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 protectionfic and defined circumstances, 'vulnerable consumers' may furthermore require special arrangements;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to force the pace of the energy transition, since renewable energies represent the most sustainable form of energy generation, and in so doing to ensure that the costs are not passed on toExpresses the importance of promoting the take up of sustainable energy but notes that there is also a link between rolling out renewable energies and associated cost for consumers;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Criticises the fact that energy prices do not reflect actual costs and thatRegrets that current energy prices do not necessarily factor in external costs, such asnamely the environmental damage, are not identified and arssociated with a given energy source or production method, which might nevertheless be passed on to society as a whole on the long run; calls for measures to guarantee cost transparency and the enforcement of the polluter-pays principleencourage greater price transparency for consumers in this regard;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for legislative measures to guarantee all consumers access to high- quality telecommunications services and narrow the digital divideNotes the significant enhancements to consumer protection following the implementation of the 2009 Telecoms Package; highlights the updates and improvements currently being developed in the Connected Continent proposals, including ease of switching, and controls on consumption in order to prevent "bill shock";
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that ease of switching, facilitated by data portability and interoperability are, is essential if consumers are to become less dependent on providers and enjoy greater freedom to choose their provider and if innovation is to be fostered; takes the view that all consumers should be able to switch provider at any time, free of charge, without loss of data and with a minimum of formalities;