Consumers and small businesses must be enabled to play a bigger part in developing EU goods and services standards, so as to build in protection for public interests such as product safety, environmental sustainability, social inclusion and innovation, Internal Market MEPs said on Wednesday, in a vote on a draft regulation to modernise the European standardisation process.

Mortgages should be subject to normal marketing and advertising rules, and lenders required to give prospective buyers specific information to enable them to assess the likely impact on their finances before signing up for one, said the Internal Market Committee on Wednesday. To this end, the committee amended a draft directive which aims to curb irresponsible mortgage borrowing, and also tighten up the supervision of lenders, whilst respecting existing lending practices in EU Member States.

New rules to make motorbikes safer and more environmentally friendly got the thumbs up from Parliament's Internal Market Committee on Monday, when it adopted a report on a common system of type approval for powered two-wheel vehicles ranging from mopeds to heavy motorcycles.

The skills of doctors, engineers, dentists and other professionals applying to work in another EU Member State must be recognised faster, but without compromising the reliability or safety of their services to citizens, said the Internal Market Committee on Monday, voting on its input to forthcoming proposals to revise EU rules on cross-border mobility for professionals.

EU Member States should be free to maintain their own rules on online gambling, but should also step up EU-wide cooperation to counter the black market and protect children and vulnerable consumers, say Internal Market Committee MEPs in a resolution adopted on Thursday.

A deal with the Council and the Commission on rules to protect consumers better and ensure clear common conditions for firms competing in the single market won unanimous political backing in an Internal Market Committee vote on Thursday. It will be put to a plenary vote on Thursday 23 June.

An EU-wide right for consumers to change their minds about purchase decisions within two weeks and clearer pricing rules for internet sales were provisionally agreed by MEPs and Council representatives late on Monday night. These changes are to be incorporated in a new EU directive to improve consumer protection, especially in internet sales, and clarify rules for businesses.

Parliament and Council negotiators reached a compromise deal on a new EU regulation on textile labelling. Parliament ensured that any use of animal-derived materials will be stated on garment labels. The Council also agreed to ask the Commission to do an assessment report, by 2013, on a possible origin labelling scheme. This report may be accompanied by a legislative proposal.

After his presentation Wednesday of the final Single Market Act proposals, Internal market Commissioner Michel Barnier met Internal Market Committee MEPs to debate his plans to revive the EU single market, boost EU competitiveness and spur growth.

Europe would benefit from proposed new rules for motorbike safety and environmental performance, but the industry's capacity to adapt will need to be taken into account, according to views expressed at a hearing in Parliament on Tuesday.