Activities of Emma McCLARKIN related to 2016/0286(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications
Amendments (76)
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) BEREC and the BEREC Office have made a positive contribution towards a consistent implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. Notwithstanding, there are still significant disparities between Member States as regards regulatory practice. Moreover, the governance structure of BEREC and the BEREC Office is cumbersome and gives rise to unnecessary administrative burden. In order to ensure efficiency gains and synergies and to further contribute to the development of the internal market for electronic communications throughout the Union as well as to the promotion of access to, and take-up of, very high capacity data connectivity, competition in the provision of electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities and the interests of the citizens of the Union, this regulation aims to strengthen the role of BEREC and the BEREC Office and enhance itstheir governance structure by establishing BEREC as a Union decentralised agency. This also corresponds to the need to reflect the significantly enhanced role played by BEREC following Regulation (EC) No 531/2012 which establishes tasks for BEREC in relation to Union-wide roaming, Regulation (EU) No 2015/2120 which establishes tasks for BEREC in relation to open internet access and Union-wide roaming, and the Directive which establishes a significant number of new tasks for BEREC such as issuing decisions and guidelines on several topics, reporting on technical matters, keeping registers and delivering opinions on internal market procedures for draft national measures on market regulation as well as on assignments of rights of use for radio spectrum, Regulation (EU) No 2015/2120 and Directive [...] ('Electronic Communications Code').
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The need for the regulatory framework for electronic communications to be consistently applied in all Member States is essential for the successful development of an internal market for electronic communications throughout the Union and the promotion of access to, and take-up of, very high capacity data connectivity, of competition in the provision of electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities and of the interests of the citizens of the Union. In view of market and technological developments, which often entails an increased cross-border dimension, and to the experience so far in ensuring a consistent implementation in the electronic communications field, it is necessary to build on the work of BEREC and the BEREC Office and further develop them into a fully-fledged agencywell-established governance structure composed of BEREC and the BEREC Office.
Amendment 28 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The tasks of BEREC, as a technical body with expertise on electronic communications and composed of representatives from NRAs and the Commission, is best placed to be entrusted wiare without prejudice to the tasks such as deciding on certain issues witestablished for NRAs, which are crloss-border dimension, contributing to efficient internal market procedures for draft national measures (both as regards market regulation and assignments of rights of use for radio spectrum), providing the necessary guidelines to NRAs in order to ensure common criteria and a consistent regulatory approach, and keeping certain registries at Union level. This is without prejudice to the tasks established for NRAs, which are closest to the electronic communicest to the electronic communications markets and their local conditions. In order to carry out its tasks, BEREC should continue to pool expertise from the NRAs. To make BEREC more powerful and more representative and to safeguard expertise, experience and knowledge of the specific situation from variety of nationsal markets and their local conditions. In order to carry out its tasks, the agency would require adequate financial and human resources and would also continue the pooling of expertise from NRA, each Member State should ensure that its NRA has adequate financial and human resources required to participate in the work of BEREC, in particular in the work of the Working Groups and chairmanship of the Board of Regulators.
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The organisational structures of BEREC and of the BEREC Office should be streamlined and suitable for the tasks they are to perform. Taking into account settled procedures and new set of tasks assigned to BEREC, it is necessary to make minor changes in the organisation with a view to strengthening the effectiveness of both BEREC and the BEREC Office.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Compared to the situation in the past where both a Board of Regulators and a Management Committee were running in parallel, having a single board giving general orientations for the activities of BEREC, deciding on regulatory and operational as well as on administrative and budgetary management matters should help improving the efficiency, coherence and performance of the agency. To this end, the Management Board should carry the relevantThe Management Board should carry the relevant administrative and budgetary management matters functions and should consist, in addition of two representatives of the Commission, of the Head, or otherwise a member of the collegiate body, of each NRA, who and of a re protected by dismissal requirementsesentative of the Commission.
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) BEREC should be composed of the Board of Regulators, which is supported by the Contact Network and the Working Groups. The existing model of chairmanship of the Board of Regulators, based on a 'Troika' system of annual rotation of Chairs and Vice-Chairs, has helped to ensure continuity of BEREC's work and has thus contributed to the smooth operation of the Board of Regulators. An appointee as Chair must first serve a one-year term as Vice-Chair, followed by a one-year term as Chair, and thereafter, where possible, a further one- year term as Vice-Chair.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) Experience has shown the usefulness of an intermediate level between the Working Groups and Board of Regulators. The Contact Network should prepare documents for the plenary meetings of the Board of Regulators.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 b (new)
Recital 17 b (new)
(17b) The BEREC Office should provide all necessary professional and administrative support, including financial, organisational and logistical support, for the work of BEREC, such as preparation of agendas and minutes, reimbursement of the travel costs as well as, where necessary, the costs relating to the meetings of the Board of Regulators, Contact Network and Working Groups, workshops and other meetings, financing of studies and communication activities.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to further extend the consistent implementation of the provisions of the regulatory framework for electronic communications within the scope of BEREC, the new agency, BEREC and the BEREC Office should be open to the participation of regulatory authoritieNRAs of third countries competent in the field of electronic communications that have entered into agreements with the Union to that effect, in particular those of EEA EFTA States and candidate countries.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) The BEREC Office, which was established as a Community body with legal personality by Regulation (EC) No 1211/2009, is succeeded by BEREC as regards all ownership, agreements, legal obligIn order to ensure continuity in the work of BEREC and the BEREC Office, it is necessary that their representationves, employment contracts, financial commitments and liabilities. BEREC should take over the staff of the BEREC Officnamely the Executive Manager and Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Board of Regulators and Management Committee, serve for the whosle rights and obligations should not be affected,period of their current term of office.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (‘'BEREC’') isand the 'BEREC Office' are hereby established.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. BEREC shall carry out its tasks independently, impartially and transparently.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. BEREC shall draw upon expertise available in the NRAs. Each Member State shall ensure that its NRAs have adequate financial and human resources to participate in the work of BEREC.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) assist, advise and cooperate with the Commission as well as NRAs, on request or on its own initiative, on any technical matter within its mandate, and assist and advise the European Parliament and the Council on request, including by means of reports, and cooperate with the NRAs and the Commission, on request or on its own initiative, on any matter regarding electronic communications within its competence;
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) assist and advise, including by means of reports, the European Parliament and the Council, following a reasoned request or on its own initiative, on any matter regarding electronic communications within its competence;
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
(ac) promote cooperation among the NRAs, and between the NRAs and the Commission;
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a d (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a d (new)
(ad) issue recommendations and disseminate regulatory best practices addressed to the NRAs in order to encourage consistent implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications;
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a e (new)
(ae) assist the Commission, where relevant, as a consultative body in relation to the preparation and adoption of legal acts in the field of electronic communications;
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a f (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a f (new)
(af) carry out tasks conferred on it by legal acts of the Union in particular by Directive [...]('Electronic Communications Code'), Regulation (EC) No 531/2012 and Regulation (EU) No 2015/2120.
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. BEREC may, upon a reasoned request from the Commission, take on other specific tasks necessary for the accomplishment of its role in accordance with Article 1(2).
Amendment 98 #
2b. Composition of the Board of Regulators 1. The Board of Regulators shall be composed of one member for each Member State. That person shall be the head or other high-level representative of the NRA established in the Member State with primary responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the markets for electronic communications networks and services. In Member States with more than one NRA in accordance with Directive [...] ('Electronic Communications Code'), those NRAs shall agree on a common representative and the necessary coordination between the NRAs shall be ensured. 2. When carrying out the tasks conferred upon it by this Regulation, the Board of Regulators shall act independently. The members of the Board of Regulators shall neither seek nor accept any instruction from any government, from the Commission, or from any other public or private entity. 3. The NRAs shall nominate one high-level alternates as member for each Member State. 4. The Commission shall attend the meetings of the Board of Regulators as an observer and shall be represented at an appropriately high level. 5. Any third-country regulatory authorities that are invited by the Board of Regulators shall have observer status and shall be represented at an appropriately high level. 6. The Board of Regulators may invite any person whose opinion may be of interest to attend its meetings on a case-by-case basis as an observer.
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 c (new)
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 e (new)
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 g (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 g (new)
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. In so far as is necessary in order to achieve the objectives set out in this regulation and perform its tasks, BEREC may, where appropriate, consult the relevant NRAs and cooperate with competent Union bodies, agencies, offices and advisory groups, with competent authorities of third countries and/or with international organisations, in accordance to Article 26.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. BEREC may, where appropriate, consult interested parties and give them the opportunity to comment within a reasonable period. BEREC shall, without prejudice to Article 28, make the results of such consultations publicly available.
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The administrative and management structure of the BEREC Office shall comprise:
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
– an Executive Director, which shall exercise the responsibilities set out in Article 9;
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 3
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Management Board shall be composed of one representativemember from each Member State and twoone representatives of the Commission, all with voting rights. Each NRA shall be responsible for nominating its respective representative amongst the Head or members of the collegiate bodyother high-level representative of the NRA.
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) adopt rules for the prevention and management of conflicts of interest as referred to in Article 31, as well as in respect of members of the Board of Appeal;
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point o
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point o
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The term of office of the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson shall be four years, with the exception of the first term of office of the Deputy Chairperson elected after the entry into force of this regulation which shall be two yearsone year. Their term of office may be renewed once.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – section 3
Chapter 2 – section 3
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. The BEREC shall be a body of the Union. ItOffice shall have legal personality.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. In each of the Member States the BEREC Office shall enjoy the most extensive legal capacity accorded to legal persons under their laws. It may, in particular, acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property and be party to legal proceedings.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3
Article 24 – paragraph 3
3. The BEREC Office shall be represented by the Executive Director.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36
Article 36
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) BEREC and the Office (‘'BEREC Office’') were established by Regulation (EC) No 1211/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council25 . BEREC replaced the European Regulators Group (‘'ERG’')26 and was meant to contribute to the development and better functioning of the internal market for electronic communications networks and services by aiming to ensure a consistent implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. The BEREC Office was establiswas neithedr as a Community body with legal personality to carry out the tasks referred to i Union agency nor did it have legal personality. It acted as an exclusive forum for cooperation among NRAs, and between NRAs and the Commission, in the exercise of the full range of their responsibilities under the Union Rregulation (EC) No 1211/2009, in particular the provision of professional and administrative support services to BERECory framework. BEREC was established to provide expertise and establish confidence by virtue of its independence, the quality of its advice and information, the transparency of its procedures and methods of operation, and its diligence in performing its tasks. _________________ 25 Regulation (EC) No 1211/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the Office (OJ L 337, 18.12.2009, p.1). 26 Commission Decision 2002/627/EC of 29 July 2002 establishing the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services (OJ L 200, 30.7.2002, p. 38).
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) BEREC and the BEREC Office have made a positive contribution towards a consistent implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. Notwithstanding, there are still significant disparities between Member States as regards regulatory practice. Moreover, the governance structure of BEREC and the BEREC Office is cumbersome and gives rise to unnecessary administrative burden. In order to ensure efficiency gains and synergies and to further contribute to the development of the internal market for electronic communications throughout the Union as well as to the promotion of access to, and take-up of, very high capacity data connectivity, competition in the provision of electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities and the interests of the citizens of the Union, this regulation aims to strengthen the role of BEREC and enhance its governance structure by establishing BEREC as a Union decentralised agency. This also corresponds to the need to reflect the significantly enhanced role played by BEREC following Regulation (EC) No 531/2012 which establishes tasks for BEREC in relation to Union-wide roaming, Regulation (EU) No 2015/2120 which establishes tasks for BEREC in relation to open internet access and Union-wide roaming, and the Directive which establishes a significant number of new tasks for BEREC such as issuing decisions and guidelines on several topics, reporting on technical matters, keeping registers and delivering opinions on internal market procedures for draft national measures on market regulation as well as on assignments of rights of use for radio spectrum based on the sharing of best practices between NRAs.
Amendment 219 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) BEREC should be independent as regards operational and technical matters and should enjoy legal, administrative and financial autonomy. To that end, it is necessary and appropriate that BEREC should be a body of the Union having legal personality and exercising the powers conferred upon it.
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to further extend the consistent implementation of the provisions of the regulatory framework for electronic communications within the scope of BEREC, ithe new agency should be open to the participation of regulatory authorities of third countries competent in the field of electronic communications that have entered into agreements with the Union to that effect, in particular those of EEA EFTA States and candidate countries.
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. BEREC shall pursue the samcontribute to the achievement of the objectives as those of national regulatory and other competent authorities (‘'NRAs’') referred to in Article 3 of the Directive. In particular, BEREC shall ensure a consistent [...] ('Electronic Communications Code'). In particular, BEREC shall cooperate with the NRAs to ensure a consistent regulatory approach for the implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications within the scope referred to in paragraph 2 and thereby contribute to the development of the internal market. It shall also promote access to, and take-up of, very high capacity data connectivity; competition in the provision of electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities; and the interests of the citizens of the Union.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. BEREC shall carry out its tasks independently, impartially and transparently.
Amendment 231 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. BEREC shall draw upon expertise available in the NRAs. Each Member State should ensure that its NRAs have adequate financial and human resources to participate in the work of BEREC.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) assist, advise and cooperate with the Commission as well as NRAs, on request or on its own initiative, on any technical matter within its mandate, and assist and advise the European Parliament and the Council on request, including by means of reports, and cooperate with the NRAs and the Commission, on request or on its own initiative, on any matter regarding electronic communications within its competence;
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) promote cooperation among the NRAs, and between the NRAs and the Commission;
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(a b) issue recommendations and disseminate regulatory best practices addressed to the NRAs in order to encourage consistent implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications;
Amendment 239 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Amendment 257 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. In so far as is necessary in order to achieve the objectives set out in this regulation and perform its tasks, BEREC may, where appropriate, consult the relevant NRAs and cooperate with competent Union bodies, agencies, offices and advisory groups, with competent authorities of third countries and/or with international organisations, in accordance to Article 26.
Amendment 262 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Any third-country regulatory authorities that are invited by the Board of Regulators shall have observer status and shall be represented at an appropriately high level.
Amendment 263 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. The Board of Regulators may invite any person whose opinion may be of interest to attend its meetings on a case-by-case basis as an observer.
Amendment 278 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Amendment 283 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Amendment 286 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4
Article 22 – paragraph 4
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 6
Article 22 – paragraph 6
Amendment 292 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 7
Article 22 – paragraph 7
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 8
Article 22 – paragraph 8
Amendment 296 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24
Article 24