Activities of Arlene McCARTHY related to 2007/0195(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Internal market in electricity - Conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity - Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators - Towards a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers (debate)
Amendments (8)
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) All consumers should have the right to service delivery and complaint handling by their electricity service provider in line with international standards ISO 10001, ISO 10002, and ISO 10003, and compliance with the guidelines established should be monitored by the national regulator. Further ISO standards developed in this field should also be added to the required standards. This Directive should adopt standards and practice from the proposal for a Directive on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters (2004/0251(COD)).
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) The Commission should establish, in consultation with the European Parliament and the Council, a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers. This Charter should provide a reference for guidelines to be established by Member States, national regulators, the Agency and the Commission. In particular, rights established by the Charter should, where applicable, be adopted by the Commission as supplementary requirements under Annex A of this Directive, by means of the regulatory procedure with scrutiny.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) In particular power should be conferred on the Commission to adopt the guidelines necessary for providing the minimum degree of harmonisation required to achieve the aim of Directive 2003/54/EC, including through the supplementing of measures in Annex A with guidelines adopted, as applicable, from the European Charter on the Rights of Energy Users. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to supplement Directive 2003/54/EC by the addition of new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC.
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 1 e (new)
Article 1 – point 1 e (new)
Directive 2003/54/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
(1e) Article 3(3) shall be replaced by the following: "3. Member States shall ensure that all household customers and [...] small enterprises, (namely enterprises with fewer than 50 occupied persons and an annual turnover or balance sheet not exceeding EUR 10 million), enjoy universal service, that is the right to be supplied with electricity of a specified quality within their territory at affordable, easily and clearly comparable, transparent and non- discriminatory prices. Non-discrimination shall include a prohibition on discriminatory charges on certain methods of payment, particularly for consumers charged by means of a pre- payment meter. Those customers shall have access to choice, fairness, representation and redress. Quality of service shall be a core responsibility of electricity undertakings. To ensure the provision of universal service, Member States may appoint a supplier of last resort. Member States shall impose on distribution companies an obligation to connect customers to their grid under terms, conditions and tariffs set in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 23(2). [....] Member States shall strengthen the market position of [...] domestic, small and medium-sized consumers by allowing for and promoting the possibilities of voluntary aggregation of representation for this class of consumers, including the possibility for these consumers to seek redress collectively for any infringement of their rights set out in this Directive, including those provided for in Annex A."
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 1 g (new)
Article 1 – point 1 g (new)
Directive 2003/54/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
(1g) Article 3(5) shall be replaced by the following: "5. Member States shall take appropriate measures to protect final customers, and shall in particular ensure that there are adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable customers, including measures to help them avoid disconnection. In this context, Member States may take measures to protect final customers in remote areas. They shall ensure high levels of consumer protection, particularly with respect to transparency regarding contractual terms and conditions, general information and dispute settlement mechanisms. Member States shall ensure that the eligible customer is in fact able to switch to a new supplier. As regards at least household customers, the measures provided for by this Article shall include at a minimum the establishment of those rights set out in Annex A. Member States shall ensure that these rights are enforced by the National Regulatory Authority and are enforceable by the consumer."
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 14 f (new)
Article 1 – point 14 f (new)
Directive 2003/54/EC
Annex A – point (f)
Annex A – point (f)
14(f) In Annex A, point (f) shall be replaced by the following: '(f) benefit from transparent, simple and inexpensive procedures for dealing with their complaints. In particular, all consumers shall have the right to service delivery and complaint handling by their electricity service provider in line with International Standards ISO 10001, ISO 10002, and ISO 10003. Such procedures shall enable disputes to be settled fairly and promptly with provision, where warranted, for a system of reimbursement and/or compensation. They should follow, wherever possible, the principles set out in Commission Recommendation 98/257/EC;'
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 15 a (new)
Article 1 – point 15 a (new)
Directive 2003/54/EC
Annex A – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex A – paragraph 1 a (new)
(15a) In Annex A, the following paragraph shall be inserted: "The European Commission shall establish, in consultation with the European Parliament and the Council, a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers. This Charter shall provide a reference for guidelines to be established by Member States, national regulators, the Agency and the Commission."
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 15 b (new)
Article 1 – point 15 b (new)
Directive 2003/54/EC
Annex A – paragraph 1 b (new)
Annex A – paragraph 1 b (new)
(15b) In Annex A, the following paragraph shall be inserted: "The Commission may adopt guidelines for the implementation of this Annex, including, inter alia, where further standards are developed relating to point (f), to clearly incorporate those rights articulated in the European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers, where necessary in the light of experience. This measure, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 27b(3)."