22 Amendments of Sabine VERHEYEN related to 2013/2153(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. having regard to the particular importance of utility services, and the need to guarantee consumers free access to such services and the need to lay down binding rules on access to such servicesobserve adapted rules, inter alia for vulnerable consumers;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the existing legal framework is inadequate, and whereas binding rules are needed to guaranteesectoral legislation has already brought about a higher level of consumer protection and better access to utility services;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas in the case of utility services national powers and the right of self- administration at local government level must be respected and the sectoral provisions form an adequate legal framework for utility services;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that utility services have common characteristics; urges that basic consumer rights which cover all utility services should be harmonised at Community levelObserves that the common characteristics of utility services are already covered by the relevant 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 42 #
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 actions;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that all consumers, irrespective of their financial circumstances, should be guaranteafforded access to utility services and that specialappropriate arrangements, such as exemption from charges, shouldhould if appropriate be introduced for 'vulnerable consumers'; points out that any consumer may find him/herself in a situation in which he/she needs special protection;
Amendment 71 #
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 confus calls on Member States to properly transpose and apply the 3rd Internal Energy Market Package, particularly with reference to comparable, transparent and non-discriminatory pricing;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that energy poverty is on the increase in many Member States, and calls onwelcomes the work of the Commission andwith the Member States to addrworking group on vulnerable consumers, and observess this problem, in particular because service providers are benefiting from cheap wholesale priceat in accordance with the subsidiarity principle it is the task of the Member States to address the various factors and situations;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 98 #
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;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
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 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that the liberalisation of postal services has not brought the promisedsubstantial benefits for consumers, but has instead destroyed structures which it will be very difficult to re-establish;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises thate importance of a comprehensive postal service must be guaranteed throughout the Union, includingparticularly in rural areas;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 145 #
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 thesey sectoral measures;
Amendment 147 #
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 profitableis also desirable in areas where it is less profitable, and calls on Member States to take appropriate action;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Points out that, as a result of the ageing of the population, efficient and universally accessible public transport services will gain in importance in the future and that they are also essential if the EU2020 climate objectives are to be achieved;