2009/2137(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas the effectiveness of consumer protection policy depends upon the extent to which legislation deters the parties concerned from engaging in practices or taking measures harmful to consumers' interests,

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas consumers ~~have a right to compensation~~must be able to assert their rights when they are affected by illegal practices, ~~but in practice they face substantial barriers in bringing such cases to court due to high costs, long and complex procedures and the risks associated with litigation~~whether these are perpetrated by the private sector or the public authorities,

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the economic crisis has increased pressure on low-income consumer groups who are spending most of their revenue on food and housing and whereas consequently a growing number of consumers are becoming over-indebted,

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas the cross-border dimension of consumer markets is growing rapidly with the emergence of e-commerce but consumers remain reluctant to reap the benefits that market integration provides, mainly because they do not feel confident that their rights will be equally protected when making cross-border purchases and because of the uncertainty over the right to compensation,

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)

Ma. whereas a level playing field for EU consumers is crucial for the development of real cross-border trade within a single market that meets consumers’ needs,

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital S a (new)

Sa. whereas a coordinated approach to consumer education is necessary for enabling consumers to act confidently when exercising their rights,

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Takes the view that the appointment in 2007 of a dedicated Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and her personal engagement, openness and proactive role have led to a dramatic rise in the profile of consumer issues, much to the benefit of EU citizens; points out, however, that the reluctance to adopt legislation to eliminate economic exploitation should not be allowed to persist in future;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Takes the view that the appointment in 2007 of a dedicated Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and her strong personal engagement, great openness and very proactive role have ~~led to a dramatic rise in the profile of~~ brought about progress in European consumer protection policy and consumer issues, much to the benefit of EU citizens;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Emphasise~~Fears that splitting the responsibility for consumer affairs between two Commissioner portfolios ~~should not~~may lead to a reduction of the consumer focus in the new Commission and ~~that~~, similarly, fears that the new organisational structure in different Directorates-General ~~should not~~may cause fragmentation or adversely eaffect the ~~management~~coherence and effectiveness of consumer policy;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that splitting the responsibility for consumer affairs between two Commissioner portfolios ~~should not~~cannot under any circumstances lead to a reduction of the consumer focus in the new Commission and that, similarly, the new organisational structure in different Directorates-General should not cause fragmentation or adversely effect the management and effectiveness of consumer policy;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, in the political guidelines for the next Commission, President Barroso calls for a more systematic and integrated approach to completing the single market, for example through ‘a market monitoring initiative’,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that, following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Article 12 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union reaffirms – as a provision of general application – that consumer protection requirements should be taken into account in defining and implementing other Union policies and activities; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure the effective integration of consumer interests into all EU policies, and to examine in its impact assessments~~, where appropriate,~~ the potential effects of any new legislation and policies ondirectly or indirectly affecting consumers; urges each relevant Commission Directorate-General to publish an annual report on how consumer policy is integrated into its area of responsibility;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for an active consumer policy to enable citizens to benefit fully from the internal market; considers that an active consumer policy is all the more essential in the current economic crisis to support social policy in fighting against growing inequalities and to protect vulnerable consumers and low income groups;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that consumers should be able to make informed choices, without being subject to psychological conditioning by producers making tendentious or untruthful claims about products, as this generates greater competition among traders to raise the quality of the goods and services they provide and to keep prices at competitive levels;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that consumers should be able to make informed choices ~~as this generates greater competition among traders to raise the quality of the goods and services they provide and to keep prices at competitive levels~~which, in combination with superior product quality, will help to improve their wellbeing;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that consumers should be able to make informed choices as this is in particular a way of generatesing greater competition among traders to raise the quality of the goods and services they provide and to keep prices at competitive levels;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Reiterates that consumer organisations have a crucial role to play in alerting public authorities to the problems consumers experience in their daily lives and that they instruments at their disposal should be ~~support~~improved in order to improve their capacity to act effectively at EU and national level; calls on Member States to ensure that consumer organisations are adequately consulted at all stages of decision-making process and in the implementation of consumer law;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Reiterates that consumer organisations have a crucial role to play in alerting public authorities to the problems consumers experience in their daily lives and that they should be supported in order to improve their capacity to act effectively at EU and national level; calls on Member States to ensure that consumer organisations are adequately consulted at the principall stages of decision-making processes and in the implementation of consumer law;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Reiterates that consumer organisations have a crucial role to play in alerting public authorities to the problems consumers experience in their daily lives and that they should be supported in order to improve their capacity to act effectively at EU and national level; calls on Member States to ensure that consumer organisations are adequately consulted at all stages of the decision-making process and in the transposition and implementation of consumer law;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen consumer awareness and education in order to empower consumers; encourages Member States to ~~include consumer aspects in their national curricula to equip children with the necessary skills to take complex decisions later in life~~ensure that clear and intelligible information is provided even to the very young, particularly for products and services aimed at them, so as to enable them to become informed consumers; recalls that educated consumers who are aware of their rights and know where to turn in the event of non-compliance are also important for detecting non-compliant behaviour;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen consumer awareness ~~and~~, education and training in order to empower consumers; encourages Member States to include consumer aspects in their national curricula at all levels of education to equip children with the necessary skills to take complex decisions later in life, with the longer term aim of developing and consolidating consumer awareness; points out that these programmes should be geared to educational requirements and student capabilities at each level while making use of modern teaching methods based on real life experience and examples; recalls that educated consumers who are aware of their rights and know where to turn in the event of non-compliance are also important for detecting non-compliant behaviour;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas an active consumer policy – by creating informed and empowered consumers who will in turn demand high quality products and services – will play an important role in making the European Union globally competitive, dynamic, and innovative,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen consumer awareness and education in order to empower consumers; encourages Member States to ~~include consumer aspects in their national curricula to~~give parents ways of equipping children with the necessary skills to take complex decisions later in life; recalls that educated consumers who are aware of their rights and know where to turn in the event of non-compliance are also important for detecting non-compliant behaviour;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen consumer awareness and education in order to empower consumers throughout their lives; encourages Member States to include consumer aspects in their national curricula to equip children with the necessary skills to take complex decisions later in life and also to devise educational programmes for adult consumers; recalls that educated consumers who are aware of their rights and know where to turn in the event of non-compliance are also important for detecting non-compliant behaviour;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the need to promote sustainable consumption, emphasising the fact that service providers and retailers, as well as consumers, must be better educated and informed with regard to the concept of sustainable consumption so that they can adapt their behaviour accordingly;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Calls for the Internal Market Scoreboard (currently published biannually), the reports on SOLVIT and the Citizens Signpost Service, and the Consumer Market Scoreboard (currently published once a year) to be published at the same time, in order to provide a better overall picture of the development of the internal market;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Stresses that violations of consumer rights are inextricably linked with the lack of accountability on the internal market; calls on the Commission to take steps to inform consumers in this area; calls on the Commission to adopt legislation that will help protect consumers' economic interests; calls on the Member States to strengthen the measures and the bodies responsible for supervision of the internal market;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Urges the Commission and the Member States to launch a well-targeted communication strategy in order to raise awareness amongst EU citizens of the risks of exposure and their rights as consumers, in particular by putting in place user- friendly web portals, awareness-raising campaigns and information points at local, regional and national level; stresses the need to use specific communication channels to reach the most vulnerable consumers, by ensuring the reliability, credibility and impartiality of the organisations responsible for the management and organisation of communications media;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls upon the Commission to organise an annual Internal Market Forum, bringing together representatives of EU institutions, Member States and other stakeholders (such as consumer organisations), in order to establish a clearer commitment to transposition, application and enforcement of internal market legislation;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Reaffirms that the Scoreboard is an important tool to better monitor the consumer markets with a view to providing information useful in ensuring better policymaking and regulation but also to demonstrate to citizens that their concerns are duly taken into account;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the five main indicators in the Scoreboard - complaints, prices, satisfaction, switching and safety - which are crucial in identifying which markets have the greatest risk of malfunctioning in terms of economic and social outcomes for consumers; considers however that criteria should also be applied which will make it possible to measure the extent to which goods and services accord with the objective of sustainable development;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the five main indicators in the Scoreboard - complaints, prices, satisfaction, switching and safety - which are ~~crucial~~important in identifying which markets have the greatest risk of malfunctioning in terms of economic and social outcomes for consumers;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

BA. whereas it is in their role as consumers ~~that most EU citizens experience the internal market on a daily basi~~, but also as businesspeople and employees of companies producing products and providing services, that most EU citizens experience the internal market on a daily basis, and whereas the relations between them should be based on mutual fairness,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses that the Scoreboard is only a tool; underlines the principle that the operation of the internal market must be governed by principles which do not increase social inequalities; stresses the need to tailor EU policies to the goal of creating an anthropocentric internal market, with the emphasis on human welfare rather than statistics;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Acknowledges that, although the five indicators do not capture all aspects of the consumer environment, they provide a ~~sufficient~~ basis to set priorities and draw conclusions as to where further analysis is needed;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Acknowledges that, although the five indicators do not capture all aspects of the consumer environment, they provide a sufficient basis to set priorities and draw conclusions as to where further analysis is needed, provided that the information provided by Member States is comprehensive and can be compiled on an easily comparable basis;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Suggests that, in the future, the Commission develop indicators relating to market shares, quality, advertising, transparency and comparability of offers, as well as indicators related to enforcement (including data on inspections, non- compliance notifications, court cases), consumer empowerment (skills, assertiveness, education, information), coverage of consumer issues in the media, and indicators to measure redress and consumer detriment; believes that the new indicators should be included in the Scoreboard when a satisfactory level of development of the five basic indicators is reached; considers, however, that this should be done progressively in order to ensure a focused Scoreboard in the interests of a more comprehensive approach to consumer protection to enable consumers to benefit fully from the advantages offered by the internal market;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Suggests that, ~~in the future, the Commission develop~~once the five basic indicators and the associated methodology have been sufficiently developed to produce results of a very high quality, the Commission consider the desirability of developing additional long-term indicators such as indicators relating to market shares, quality, advertising, transparency and comparability of offers, as well as indicators related to enforcement (including data on inspections, non- compliance notifications, court cases), consumer empowerment (skills, assertiveness, education, information), coverage of consumer issues in the media, and indicators to measure redress and consumer detriment; believes that the new indicators should be included in the Scoreboard when a satisfactory level of development of the five basic indicators is reachedand indicators to measure redress and consumer detriment; considers, however, that this should be done progressively in order to ensure a focused and comprehensible Scoreboard;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Suggests that, in the future, the Commission develop indicators relating to market shares, quality, advertising, transparency and comparability of offers, as well as indicators related to enforcement ~~(including data on inspections, non- compliance notifications, court cases),~~ consumer empowerment (skills, assertiveness, education, information), coverage of consumer issues in the media, and indicators to measure redress and consumer detriment; believes that the new indicators should be included in the Scoreboard when a satisfactory level of development of the five basic indicators is reached; considers,

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Suggests that, in the future, the Commission develop indicators relating to market shares, quality, advertising, transparency and comparability of offers, as well as indicators related to enforcement (including data on inspections, non- compliance notifications, court cases), consumer empowerment (skills, assertiveness, education, information), coverage of consumer issues in the media, and indicators to measure redress and consumer detriment, as well as social, environmental and ethical indicators; believes that the new indicators should be included in the Scoreboard when a satisfactory level of development of the five basic indicators is reached; considers, however, that this should be done progressively in order to ensure a focused Scoreboard;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Is aware that consumers are less satisfied and experience more problems with services than goods which partly reflects the greater complexity in the contractual relations and delivery of services compared to goods; calls on the Commission to carry out in-depth analyses of all problematic sectors such as energy, transport and banking services and make specific policy recommendations, in particular with a view to encouraging mobility among young people in Europe, by making it easier for them to use banking and transport services when they are studying or undertaking traineeships abroad;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Is aware that consumers are less satisfied and experience more problems with services than goods which partly reflects the greater complexity in the contractual relations and delivery of services compared to goods; ~~calls on~~welcomes the report on retail financial services, published by the Commission, and urges it to carry out in-depth analyses of all problematic sectors ~~such as energy, transport and banking services and make specific policy recommendations~~identified in the Scoreboard; calls also on the Commission to ensure that such exercises are appropriately followed up with specific policy recommendations for Member States and feedback to Parliament;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Is aware that consumers are less satisfied and experience more problems with services than goods which partly reflects the greater complexity in the contractual relations and delivery of services compared to goods; calls on the Commission to carry out in-depth analyses of all problematic sectors such as energy, transport and banking services ~~and make specific policy recommendation~~, in order to refine and complete the Scoreboard and enable it, where appropriate, to adopt quickly specific legislative initiatives to remedy shortcomings identified in these fields;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas, as part of the Post-Lisbon Strategy 2020, policy on consumers should be geared to sustainable development which respects the environment and devotes attention to the social dimension of the internal market,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Is aware that consumers are less satisfied and experience more problems with services than goods which partly reflects the greater complexity in the contractual relations and delivery of services compared to goods; calls on the Commission to carry out in-depth analyses of all problematic sectors such as energy, transport and banking services and make specific policy recommendations; welcomes the report on retail financial services in the EU, published by the Commission as a follow up to the Scoreboard;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Notes in particular that the second edition of the Scoreboard indicates consumer dissatisfaction about the functioning of the energy market; considers that this dissatisfaction should be interpreted as being linked to the difficulties which arose after the liberalisation of the energy market and should give rise to a thorough assessment of the impact and manner of attainment of that liberalisation;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Welcomes the interest and quality of the work done by the Commission in the study which it requested in 2009 on the prices of retail financial services, particularly the revelations which emerged from the study, regarding for example major problems concerning the transparency and comparability of current-account costs in the European Union;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)

15c. Notes also the manifest problems in the field of financial services, further aggravated by the financial crisis; considers that all appropriate conclusions should be drawn from this as to the need for better regulation of this sector; proposes that a specific Scoreboard be devised for these services;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Draws attention to the analysis of the available price data which shows unexplained cross-border variations in a number of goods and services; considers that, although price differences are often linked to differences in demand, expenditure levels, taxes or cost structure, they are also often a sign of internal market fragmentation or malfunctioning; suggests that, where the price of a given product is higher than a benchmark, it is necessary to look at the relationship between import and consumption prices and examine carefully the reasons behind the different price levels;deleted

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Draws attention to the analysis of the available price data which shows ~~unexplained~~ cross- border variations in a number of goods and services, which are an inevitable result of the aspiration of businesses to maximise their profits; considers that~~, although~~ price differences are ~~often link~~exacerbated toby differences in demand, expenditure levels, taxes or cost structure~~, they are also often a sign of internal market fragmentation or malfunctioning; suggests~~; suggests that measures be taken to ensure fair prices, especially for basic goods and essential items, and also that, where the price of a given product is higher than a benchmark, it is necessary to look at the relationship between import and consumption prices and examine carefully the reasons behind the different price levels;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Believes that the available price data are not sufficient to monitor the internal market properly and calls on the Commission to provide more data and to further develop its methodology for collecting average prices of comparable and representative goods and services; recalls in this context the necessity for national statistical institutes to validate and participate more in the work of gathering data on, and calculating, average prices;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Believes that the available price data are not sufficient to monitor the internal market properly and calls on the Commission, in cooperation with national statistical services, to provide more data and to further develop its methodology for collecting average prices of comparable and representative goods and services; stresses that the provision of more transparent price data would inspire greater confidence in consumers and also show them that their everyday concerns are being addressed;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Believes that the available price data are not sufficient to monitor the internal market properly and calls on national statistical offices and Eurostat to work together with the Commission to provide more data and to further develop ~~its~~the methodology for collecting average prices of comparable and representative goods and services;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that surveys show that consumer confidence in product safety is generally high although consumer perceptions of safety differ significantly between Member States; asks the Commission and the Member States to improve the data currently available on the safety of consumer products which are mainly measured on the basis of reported accidents and injuries from defective products or through risk notification systems; notes that it is, however, important to keep safety requirements simple and affordable in order to protect small businesses in particular;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas an internal and service market that responds efficiently to consumer demands also helps to deliver a more innovative and healthy economy, given that efficient and responsive consumer markets across the economy are key drivers of competitiveness and citizens’ welfare, if accompanied by reasonable bureaucratic pressure on businesses,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that surveys show that consumer confidence in product safety is generally high although consumer perceptions of safety differ significantly between Member States; asks the Commission and the Member States to improve the data currently available on the safety of consumer products which are mainly measured on the basis of reported accidents and injuries from defective products or through risk notification systems; stresses in particular the requisite vigilance over the safety of toys and calls on the Commission to consider, if necessary, revising the Directive on the safety of toys;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Urges all Member States, in the interests of improving consumer safety, to systematically collect and record details of accidents or injuries in a common database;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Notes that the prevalence of cross- border activity still varies significantly across the EU, and though the average expenditure on cross-border purchases is considerable (EUR 737 per person per year), the greater majority (75 %) of retailers sell only to consumers in their own country while only a quarter of EU consumers make cross-border purchases; considers that, while there are a number of structural barriers such as language, distance, and differences in consumer protection law, stronger consumer confidence would substantially increase the levels of cross-border trade; considers that the development of cross-border trade should not result in a reduction in regulations but on the contrary renders even more necessary efforts to maintain an optimal level of protection of consumers in the European Union;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Takes note of the fact that online shopping is becoming more widespread but cross-border e-commerce is not developing as fast as domestic shopping; asks the Commission to include in future Scoreboards more complete data on the real level of cross-border sales and the problems encountered by cross-border consumers; calls on the European Central Bank to provide the Commission with statistics on cross-border business-to- consumer trade flows;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Emphasises that the effective implementation and enforcement of EU consumer protection rules acts as a driver for increasing consumer confidence and as a forceful deterrent to businesses seeking to evade those rules; calls on the Commission to closely monitor and help Member States in the transposition and implementation of the EU consumer acquis; invites the Commission in this context to explore options, using the legal basis provided by Article 169 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, for raising the profile of consumer protection policy with measures that support and supplement Member State policies, potentially including the creation of a European Consumer Agency;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recalls that several Member States have developed tools to monitor their national markets from the consumer perspective such as price observatories or comprehensive complaints systems for policymaking, whereas other Member States do not use data to monitor consumer markets and have difficulties in aggregating data; encourages all Member States to carry out a broad market monitoring exercise on an annual basis in order to identify markets which are failing for consumers and provide complete data which will allow the Commission to monitor and compare the problems faced by consumers in the internal marketwith this in view, stresses the need for exchange of best practice between Member States;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recalls that several Member States have developed tools to monitor their national markets from the consumer perspective such as price observatories or comprehensive complaints systems for policymaking, whereas other Member States do not use data to monitor consumer markets and have difficulties in aggregating data; encourages all Member States to carry out a broad market monitoring exercise on an annual basis in order to identify markets which are failing for consumers and provide complete data which will allow the Commission to monitor and compare the problems faced by consumers in the internal market and to promote measures to combat exorbitant pricing;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Encourages all Member States to carry out a broad market monitoring exercise on an annual basis in order to identify markets which are failing for consumers and provide complete data which will allow the Commission to monitor and compare the problems faced by consumers in the internal market;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Emphasises that ~~close cooperation between the Commission, Eurostat, national statistical offices~~significant input from national statistical offices and Eurostat, as well as close cooperation between these bodies, the Commission, consumer policy makers, national enforcement authorities a~~s well as~~nd consumer and business organisations, will be a key in assuring the quality and completeness of data and further developing the evidence base needed; calls on Eurostat, Member States and all stakeholders to take steps to facilitate such cooperation;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Takes the view that the Scoreboard, once backed up by reliable and easily comparable data for the 27 Member States, should serve as a rich source of comparative data for national policymakers in competition, consumer and other policy areas and should help them indentify at national level the markets that do not function well for consumers;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas a well-functioning internal market should offer consumers a wider choice of high-quality products and services at competitive prices and, at the same time, a high level of consumer protection,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Stresses that the main responsibility for unfair pricing of products in the internal market lies with businesses and the practices they follow in order to maximise their profits; believes that a responsible approach by the business world with respect for the principle of corporate responsibility, the rules of competition and consumers' economic interests will help inspire confidence in consumers, the least that is required if consumer protection is to be enhanced;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Maintains that the Scoreboard should not only be used to deliver a better consumer policy but must also feed through all policies that affect consumers, ensuring thereby a better integration of consumer interests into all EU policies and incorporation of the objective of sustainable development into consumer protection policy; underlines that the Scoreboard should also stimulate a more general debate on consumer policy issues;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Asks the Commission to develop, with the support of the Member States, a strategy to communicate the Scoreboard better to a wider audience, inter alia by ensuring that it is easily accessible and visible on relevant websites and to promote its proper dissemination to the media, national authorities, consumer organisations and other stakeholders; considers that it is necessary to continue the annual publication of the Scoreboard in a brochure and make it available in all official EU languages; calls on the Commission and Member States to take appropriate steps to promote the use by European citizens of the website ‘eYou Guide’, which was specially set up by the Commission as a guide to citizens’ rights;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Asks the Commission to develop, with the support of the Member States, a strategy to communicate the Scoreboard better to a wider audience, inter alia by ensuring that it is easily accessible and visible on relevant websites and to promote its proper dissemination to the media, national authorities, consumer organisations and other stakeholders; considers that it is necessary to continue the annual publication of the Scoreboard in a brochure and make it available in all official EU languages; observes that the Scoreboard will have to be translated into a recognisable logo or certification mark, as consumers give up if they receive too much information;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)

32a. Takes the view that market-relevant data can play a crucial role in driving both innovation and competitiveness; emphasises, therefore, the importance of the Scoreboard as an enabling tool for identifying consumer preferences and demands; notes that this data can stimulate innovation by providing businesses with incentives to enter new markets and creating pressure on firms to improve their products and services;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Notes that enforcement across the EU is far from uniform and that most countries have strong and weak points; points out that figures show important differences between Member States in terms of budgets for market surveillance and numbers of inspectors involved; urges Member States to redouble their efforts and increase resources in order to ensure that laws that protect consumers ~~and guarantee competition~~ are enforced in retail markets;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Considers that enhancing market surveillance and enforcement mechanisms and applying them efficiently and comprehensively to encourage consumer confidence is crucial as consumer spending will be an important factor for the economic recovery; takes the view that public authorities must be given more resources to investigate and ultimately stop illegal commercial practices;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Encourages the establishment in all Member States of independent consumer protection agencies w~~ith full power to~~hich can inform consumers how they can bring proceedings before national courts in order to protect their interests ~~of consumers~~;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Encourages ~~the establishment~~cooperation in all Member States ~~of independent~~between existing consumer protection agencies ~~with full power~~and associations to bring proceedings before national courts in order to protect the interests of consumers;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Encourages the establishment in all Member States of independent consumer protection agencies with ~~full~~the power to bring proceedings before national courts in order to protect the interests of consumers;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas anthe effectiveness of consumer policy ~~depends on~~will be enhanced by consumers and businesses knowing their rights and obligations under existing legislation and on their ability to apply them to their commercial transactions,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38a. Urges all Member States to consider the benefits of introducing a consumers' ombudsman; points out that this institution exists in some Member States as an extrajudicial body for the amicable settlement of consumer disputes, but also as a consultative body working alongside the State to resolve problems falling within its remit;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Shares the Commission’s view that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration or out-of- court settlements, can be an expedient and attractive option for consumers who have been unsuccessful in informally resolving their dispute with a trader; urges Member States to encourage the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance the level of consumer protection and maximise compliance with legislation, but emphasises that such mechanisms should complement and not substitute judicial or administrative means of enforcement; considers also that the setting of fixed deadlines for replies from the various agencies and undertakings in respect of the various practices reported could provide an important basis for helping consumers who plan to take action to resolve a dispute;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Shares the Commission’s view that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration or out-of- court settlements, can be an expedient and attractive option for consumers who have been unsuccessful in informally resolving their dispute with a trader; or a public authority, urges Member States to encourage the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance the level of consumer protection and maximise compliance with legislation, but emphasises that such mechanisms should complement and not substitute judicial or administrative means of enforcement;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recalls that evidence shows major differences between Member States and room for improvement in terms of redress mechanisms; recalls ~~that judicial collective redress systems currently exist~~on the Commission therefore to draw up comprehensible overviews of the redress procedures available in 13all Member States ~~and calls on the Commission to provide follow-up to its Green Paper of 27 November 2008 on Consumer Collective Redress (COM(2008)0794)~~in order to support empowered consumers in asserting their rights;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recalls that evidence shows major differences between Member States and room for improvement in terms of redress mechanisms; recalls that judicial collective redress systems currently exist in 13 Member States and calls on the Commission as quickly as possible to provide follow-up to its Green Paper of 27 November 2008 on Consumer Collective Redress (COM(2008)0794);

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Takes into account the legal complexity related to the publication of the results of market surveillance and enforcement activities and the fact that the investigative work is often subject to strict confidentiality rules but holds the view that the Commission and the Member States should make those results public ~~including their breakdown by individual companies~~, in order to ensure greater transparency, give more visibility to the enforcement work carried out by national authorities and enable consumers to make well- informed choices;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)

45a. Calls on the Commission in this connection to do more to monitor the implementation by the Member States of the market surveillance regulations, particularly Regulation (EC) 765/2008, and, if necessary, bring infringement proceedings without delay;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)

45b. Supports the Commission's efforts to analyse the latest technical surveillance possibilities in order to ensure global traceability of products throughout the supply chain (e.g. using RFID tags or barcodes); calls on the Commission to present to Parliament its current initiatives and latest findings regarding the building-up of a global traceability network;

Amendment 9 #