19 Amendments of Andreas SCHWAB related to 2015/2140(INI)
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes the view that the overhaul of competition policy is needed partly in order to meet the challenges posed by the digital single market, a sector whichdigital single market is a major challenge to competition policy and is changing rapidly, hence the importance of accelerating European competition law and its changing rapidly, hence the importance ofapplication and thus rendering it more effective, and overcoming the current fragmentation along national lines and doing away with barriers to access to the market;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regards it as essential to guarantee fair terms of competition on the digital market and to combat the abuse of dominant positions, aims which ultimately benefit consumers; considers it important, in particular, to make the on-line research and advertising market more open and transparent, and regards it as vital to guarantee anfair, open and neutral neton- discriminatory Internet access;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Regards it as essential that Directive 2014/104/EU on certain rules governing actions for damages under national law for infringements of the competition law provisions should be implemented quicklyon schedule and correctly; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take additional measures to facilitate collective actions of this kind.to monitor closely the implementation of the Directive by the Member States and ensure that its provisions are applied evenly throughout the EU; stresses that access to justice, which may also include the availability of collective redress, is essential for the attainment of the objectives of the EU’s competition policy;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that efforts to preserve fair competition are in the interests of consumers and SMEs; reiterates that such efforts will enhance choice for consumers and develop an environment in which SMEs and micro-enterprises can display greater innovation and creativity;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Welcomes the launch of the sectoral inquiry to examine possible obstacles to competition on European markets for e- commerce; stresses that a smoothly functioning e-commerce is not only important for economic growth but also means lower transaction costs, lower prices and a greater range of choice for consumers;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Takes the view that the main condition towards the completion of the European Energy Union is a well-functioning internal energy market that is dependent on the effective and persistent enforcement of EU competition rules; emphasises that implementing the competition rules contributes to sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Reiterates its call for the Commission to incorporate the Guidelines on fines into the Cartel Proceedings Regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1/2003;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on the Commission to ensure that companies which break the law do not suffer adverse repercussions beyond proportionate redress for the offence committed; calls on the Commission to set the level of fines according to the (likely) amount of compensation to injured parties;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Points out that under Article 8 of the Cartel Proceedings Regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, the Commission may order interim measures when there is a risk of serious and irreparable damage to competition; calls on the Commission to determine how far such measures could be applied in protracted competition proceedings, especially on the digital market;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Welcomes the final adoption of the directive on actions for damages, as this is a good example of successful close interinstitutional cooperation in the competition policy sphere;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Welcomes the Commission’s newly adopted amendments to Regulation (EC) No 773/2004, relating to the conduct of proceedings, and the related communications arising out the directive on actions for damages; considers it unfortunate that Parliament was not involved in the drafting of the amendments;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Calls on the Commission, as the guardian of the Treaties, closely to monitor the Member States’ implementation of the above directive and ensure that its provisions are uniformly enforced throughout the EU;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. Points again to the need for measures to avert the danger of overcompensation in anti-trust damages claims; calls on the Commission to factor in earlier compensation payments in the same way as national competition authorities do when setting fines;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)
Paragraph 11 f (new)
11f. Points out that competition policy has a key role to play in the completion of the digital single market; shares the view that a robust competition policy on fast- moving markets requires thorough market knowledge; welcomes, therefore, the fact that a sector inquiry into e-commerce is being carried out for the purposes of the digital single market strategy;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 g (new)
Paragraph 11 g (new)
11g. Points out that, in the course of the sector inquiry, it will be necessary to determine whether adjustments have to be made to the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation, Regulation (EU) No 330/2010, and the related guidelines on vertical restraints;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the new Guidelines on State Aid to Airlines and Airports in the EU, as part of the Commission’s State Aid Modernisation; calls on the Commission to urgently establish a similar set of rules for subsidised airlines operating from third countries to and from the EU in international agreements, in order to ensure fair competition between EU and third country carriers; calls on the Commission to urgently submit a proposal for the revision of EU Regulation 868/2004 for the protection against subsidisation and unfair pricing practices causing injury to Community air carriers in the supply of air services from countries not members of the European Community. (European legacy carriers have to continue to modernise and restructure becoming more efficient. However Status quo is not an option for the EU with regard subsidies and the kind of competition coming from third countries such the Gulf carriers. A binding fair competition clause should be included when the EC negotiates comprehensive air service agreements. Moreover the Commission is called to urgently submit a proposal for the revision of EU Regulation 868/2004 for the protection against subsidisation and unfair pricing practices.)
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that particularly in the digital economy additional new criteria must be introduced in assessing mergers, such as the purchase price, arrangements for accessing data, possible market entry barriers and network effects; Ccalls on the Commission to give particular consideration to the commercial model of businesses in the digital economy and possible market entry barriers;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Commission, in the context of the planned overhaul of the Merger Regulation, also to examine whether the current procedures for assessing mergers take proper account of the internationalisation of markets;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Emphasises that fair tax competition is essential to the integrity of the internal market, the viability of public finances and a level competitive playing field;