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The next Committee Meeting will be held on:

Monday 17 March (15.00 - 18.30) and Tuesday 18 March (09.00 - 12.30 and 15.00 - 18.30) in ASP 1G3. Find here the draft agenda and here the meeting documents.
 
► Newsletter: Issue 49: March 2014 - Previous issues  
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► Latest studies/briefing notes: 

 

 
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Highlights
All announcements  
plenary votes  
Package travel and electronic invoicing in Plenary

The legislative report on Electronic invoicing in public procurement (Collin-Langen / DE-EPP) will be voted on by the European Parliament during its plenary sitting of 11.03.14 while the one on Package travel and assisted travel arrangements (Mayer / DE-EPP) will be discussed the same day and voted on 12.03.14.

 
Further information
 
The Impact of the TTIP on the Internal Market  
Impact of the TTIP on the Internal Market: hearing

On 17 March PM, IMCO will hold a hearing on the Impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on the Internal Market. The first panel will assess the challenges of regulatory cooperation while the second one will tackle the question of divergent EU and US standards and legislation governing public procurement. Deadline for registration: 11 March at 12.00.

 
Further information
 
Consumer protection  
Consumer Protection - Protection of Consumers in Utilities Services

On 3 March, IMCO adopted with 27 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 1 abstention the INI report of MEP Josef Weidenholzer (S&D). The 17 compromise amendments prepared, take into account the comments of the shadows, notably to remove any reference to the need for further legislation at EU level and specific comments related to the Internal Energy Market and the Postal Services. All CAs have been endorsed during the vote. Vote is plenary is foreseen in April II.

 
Further information
 
Mutual assistance to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters  
Ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters

On 3 March Members discussed the 76 amendments tabled to the draft report on Mutual assistance to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters. In particular the Rapporteur has proposed to strengthen the security of the internal market and the products circulating within it, while at the same time providing consumers with a high level of protection. To do so, the Rapporteur has proposed concretely that the Commission be granted the prerogative of directly contacting economic agents, subject to prior notification of the national authorities, who are given two weeks within which to answer. He also seeks to prevent infringers from taking advantage of the rules specific to each Member State concerning the barring of legal action. Vote in Committee: 18 March 2014.

 
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Latest press releases
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Package travel: MEPs vote to beef up consumer rights
IMCO 11-02-2014 - 15:44  

Travellers should be guaranteed help getting home if their travel agency goes bust while they are on holiday in another country and travellers in difficulty should be able to get assistance, under new rules approved by internal market MEPs on Tuesday. MEPs also stress that organisers should not be able to change flight times or prices significantly after a sale is concluded.

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Internal Market MEPs back life-saving eCall system for cars
IMCO 11-02-2014 - 12:36  

"eCall" devices that automatically alert rescue services to car crashes should be fitted to all new car models by October 2015, said the Internal Market Committee amending a draft law to this end on Tuesday. This system, using the 112 emergency call number, would enable the emergency services to reach the crash scene faster, saving lives and reducing injuries, MEPs note.

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The 'Right2Water' campaign: EP hearing on first European Citizens' Initiative
ENVI PETI DEVE IMCO 10-02-2014 - 16:55  

Parliament is to hold a public hearing next Monday on the universal right to clean water, the first EP hearing under the European Citizens' Initiative allowing the public to ask the EU authorities for new legislation.

Presentation and responsibilities
 
Committee responsible for:
 
1.    coordination at Community level of national legislation in the sphere of the internal market and for the customs union, in particular:

(a)    the free movement of goods including the harmonisation of technical standards,
(b)    the right of establishment,
(c)    the freedom to provide services except in the financial and postal sectors;

2.    measures aiming at the identification and removal of potential obstacles to the functioning of the internal market;
 
3.    the promotion and protection of the economic interests of consumers, except for public health and food safety issues, in the context of the establishment of the internal market.
 
 
Today's broadcasts
 
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Multimedia Library
 
03-03-2014 - 15:07   IMCO Meeting   Watch the meeting
17-02-2014 - 15:08   PETI IMCO DEVE ENVI hearing   Watch the meeting
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Welcome words
 
Malcolm Harbour  
 

The Single Market and its free movement of people, goods and services is one of the absolute foundations of the EU. It has provided prosperity and growth, jobs, mobility and freedom of choice to Europe's citizens and businesses.
 
In the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer protection, we believe that citizens must be placed at the heart of the Single Market. It is our mission to ensure that people can establish themselves anywhere within the EU, to work, study or set up a business.
 
We want to make sure that consumers know their rights and feel assured that they are safe and protected when buying products in the EU, whether in their local shop or when shopping online across borders.
 
We aim to make clear rules for businesses, and to make life simpler for small firms while expanding their market opportunities in making, selling or providing services.
 
The Internal Market Committee initiated the Single Market Act to give a fresh impetus to the Single Market. We remain committed to deliver on its proposals as quickly as possible. Only a well functioning Single European Market can ensure our prosperity and competitiveness in the world in the decades to come.
 
Malcolm Harbour CBE
Chair of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection