RAPPORT dwar il-proposta għal deciżjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill li jistabbilixxi programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur (2007-2013) - aspetti tal-konsumatur

23.2.2006 - (COM◄(2005)0115► – C6‑0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD)) - ***I

Kumitat għas-Suq Intern u l-Ħarsien tal-Konsumatur
Rapporteur: Marianne Thyssen

ABBOZZ TA' RIŻOLUZZJONI LEĠIŻLATTIVA TAL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW

dwar il-proposta għal deciżjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill li jistabbilixxi programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur (2007-2013) - aspetti tal-konsumatur

(COM(2005)0115 – C6‑0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD))

(Proċedura ta' kodeċiżjoni: l-ewwel qari)

Il-Parlament Ewropew,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-proposta tal-Kummissjoni lill-Parlament Ewropew u lill-Kunsill (COM(2005(0115)[1],

–   wara li kkunsidra d-deċiżjoni tal-Konferenza tal-Presidenti tat-30 ta' Ġunju 2005 biex tinqasam il-proposta għal deċiżjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill li jistabbilixxi programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur (2007-2013) sabiex tkun assenjata kemm lill-Kumitat għall-Ambjent, is-Saħħa Pubblika u s-Sikurezza ta' l-Ikel kif ukoll lill-Kumitat għas-Suq Intern u għall-Ħarsien tal-Konsumatur għat-tħejjija ta' żewg rapporti separati,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikoli 251(2) u 153 tat-Trattat KE, skond liema l-Kummissjoni ppreżenta l-proposta għall-Parlament (C6 0225/2005),

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikolu 51 tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura tiegħu,

–   wara li kkunsidra r-rapport tal-Kumitat għas-Suq Intern u l-Ħarsien tal-Konsumatur u l-opinjonijiet tal-Kumitat għall-Baġit u l-Kumitat għall-Affarijiet Legali (A6 0032/2006),

1.  Japprova l-proposta tal-Kummissjoni kif emendata;

2.  Jenfasizza li l-approprjazzjonijiet imsemmija fil-proposta tal-Kummissjoni għall-perjodu 2006 huma suġġetti għad-deċiżjoni għall-qafas finanzjarju multiannwali li jmiss;

3.  Jitlob lill-Kummissjoni, jekk hu xieraq, biex tippreżenta proposta bil-għan li, meta jiġi adottat il-qafas finanzjarju multiannwali li jmiss, tirranġa l-ammont referenzjali finanzjarju tal-programm preżenti;

4.  Jitlob lill-Kummissjoni sabiex terġa' tirreferi l-kwistjoni lill-Parlament jekk għandha l-ħsieb li temenda l-proposta b'mod sustanzjali jew li tibdilha b'test ieħor;

5.  Jagħti istruzzjonijiet lill-President tiegħu sabiex jgħaddi l-pożizzjoni tal-Parlament lill-Kunsill u lill-Kummissjoni.

Test propost mill-Kummissjoni	Emendi tal-Parlament
Emenda 1 Titolu tal-Programm
li tistabbilixxi Programm għall-azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tal-ħarsien tas-Saħħa u tal-Konsumatur 2007-2013	li tistabbilixxi Programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tal-ħarsien tal-Konsumatur (2007-2013)
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 2 Ċitazzjoni 1
Wara li kkunsidraw it-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ewropea, u b’mod partikolari l-Artikoli 152 u 153 tiegħu,	Wara li kkunsidraw it-Trattat li jwaqqaf il-Komunità Ewropea, u b’mod partikolari l-Artikolu 153 tiegħu,
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 3 Premessa 1
(1) Il-Komunità tista' tikkontribwixxi għall-ħarsien tas-saħħa, is-sigurtà u l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini permezz ta' azzjonijiet fl-oqsma tas-saħħa pubblika u tal-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi.	(1) Il-Komunità tista' tikkontribwixxi għall-ħarsien tas-sigurtà u l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini permezz ta' azzjonijiet fil-qasam tal-ħarsien tal-konsumatur.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 4 Premessa 2
(2) Huwa għalhekk xieraq li jiġi stabbilit programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja dwar is-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur, li jidħol minflok id-Deċiżjoni 1786/2002/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat-23 ta' Settembru 2002 li tadotta programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarju fil-qasam tas-saħħa pubblika (2003-2008) u d-Deċiżjoni 20/2004/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat-8 ta' Diċembru 2003 li tistabbilixxi qafas ġenerali sabiex jiġu ffinanzjati azzjonijiet Komunitarji b'appoġġ għall-politika dwar il-konsumaturi għas-snin 2004-2007. Dawn id-Deċiżjonijiet għandhom għalhekk jiġu rrevokati.	(2) Huwa għalhekk xieraq li jiġi stabbilit programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumatur, li jidħol minflok id-Deċiżjoni 20/2004/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat-8 ta' Diċembru 2003 li tistabbilixxi qafas ġenerali sabiex jiġu ffinanzjati azzjonijiet Komunitarji b'appoġġ għall-politika dwar il-konsumaturi għas-snin 2004-2007. Din id-Deċiżjoni għandha għalhekk tiġi rrevokata
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 5 Premessa 3
(3) Filwaqt li jżomm l-elementi ewlenin u l-ispeċifiċitajiet ta' azzjonijiet fis-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur, programm integrat uniku għandu jgħin sabiex jiġu sfruttati għal kollox is-sinerġiji fl-għanijiet u l-effiċjenza fl-amministrazzjoni ta' azzjonijiet f'dawn l-oqsma. L-għaqda ta’ attivitajiet tas-saħħa u tal-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi fi programm wieħed għandha tgħin sabiex jintlaħqu għanijiet konġunti dwar il-ħarsien taċ-ċittadini minn riskji u theddid, iż-żieda fil-kapaċità taċ-ċittadini sabiex ikollhom l-għarfien u l-opportunità li jagħmlu deċiżjonijiet fl-interess tagħhom u l-appoġġ għall-inklużjoni ta' għanijiet ta' saħħa u tal-konsumaturi fil-politika u l-attivitajiet kollha tal-Komunità. L-għaqda ta' strutturi amministrattivi u sistemi għanda tippermetti implimentazzjoni aktar effiċjenti tal-programm u tgħin sabiex isir l-aħjar użu tar-riżorsi Komunitarji disponibbli għas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur.	imħassar
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 6 Premessa 4
(4) Il-Politika dwar is-saħħa u dik dwar il-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur jaqsmu għanjiet komuni marbuta mal-ħarsien mir-riskji, mat-titjib tad-deċizjonijiet taċ-ċittadini u mal-integrazzjoni tal-interessi tas-saħħa u tal-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur fl-oqsma kollha ta' politka Komunitarja, kif ukoll strumenti komuni bħal ma huma l-komunikazzjoni, l-iżvilupp ta' kapaċita għas-soċjeta ċivili fir-rigward ta' kwistjonijiet ta' saħħa u protezzjoni tal-konsumatur, u l-promozzjoni ta' kooperazzjoni internazzjonali fuq dawn il-kwistjonijiet. Kwistjonijiet bħalma huma d-dieta u l-obeżità, it-tabakk u għażliet oħra marbuta mal-konsum li għandhom x'jaqsmu mas-saħħa huma eżempji ta' kwistjonijiet multi-settorjali li jaffettwaw kemm is-saħħa kif ukoll il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi. Strateġija konġunta għal dawn l-għanijiet u strumenti komuni se tippermetti attivitajiet komuni kemm għas-saħħa kif ukoll għall-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi sabiex jiġu eżegwiti b'mod aktar effiċjenti u effettiv. Hemm ukoll għanijiet separati marbuta għal kull wieħed miż-żewġ oqsma tas- saħħa u tal-ħarsien tal-konsumatur li għandhom jiġu indirizzati permezz ta' azzjonijiet u strumenti speċifiċi għal kull wieħed minn dawn iż-żewġ oqsma.	imħassar
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 7 Premessa 5
(5) Il-koordinazzjoni ma' oqsma oħra ta' politika u programmi Komunitarji hija parti ewlenija ta' l-għan konġunt ta' l-inklużjoni tal-politika tas-saħħa u dik dwar il-konsumatur f'oqsma oħra ta' politika. Sabiex jiġu promossi sinerġiji u tiġi evitata d-duplikazzjoni, se jsir użu xieraq ta' fondi u programmi oħra Komunitarji inklużi l-programmi ta' qafas tal-Komunità għar-riċerka u r-riżultati tagħhom, il-Fondi Strutturali, u l-Programm Komunitarju ta' Statistika.	(5) L-interessi integrati tal-konsumatur fil-politika Komunitarja kollha, bi qbil ma' l-Artikolu 153 tat-Trattat, għandhom jingħataw prijorità għolja, flimkien ma' l-objettivi tal-politika tal-konsumatur stipulati f'dan il-programm. Il-koordinazzjoni ma' oqsma oħra ta' politika u programmi Komunitarji hija parti ewlenija ta' l-inklużjoni tal-politika dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumatur f'oqsma oħra ta' politika. Sabiex jiġu promossi sinerġiji u tiġi evitata d-duplikazzjoni, fondi u programmi oħra Komunitarji għandhom jipprovdu appoġġ finanzjarju għall-integrazzjoni ta' l-interessi tal-konsumatur fl-oqsma rispettivi tagħhom.
Justification
Seeks to provide a firmer basis for the integrated policy which is needed in the interest of consumer protection.
Emenda 8 Premessa 6
(6) Huwa ta' interess ġenerali Ewropew li l-interessi tas-saħħa, tas-siġurtà u l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini, kif ukoll l-interessti tal-konsumatur fl-iżvilupp ta' standards għall-prodotti u għas-servizzi, ikunu rrappreżentati fuq livell Komunitarju. L-għanijiet prinċipali tal-programm jistgħu jiddependu wkoll fuq l-eżistenza ta' netwerks speċjalizzati li jeħtieġu wkoll kontribuzzjonijiet Komunitarji sabiex ikunu jistgħu jiżviluppaw u jaħdmu. Minħabba n-natura partikolari ta' l-għaqdiet ikkonċernati u f'każijiet ta' utilità eċċezzjonali, it-tiġdid ta' l-appoġġ Komunitarju għall-operat ta' dawn l-organizzazzjonijiet m'għandux jiddependi fuq il-prinċipju ta' tnaqqis sistematiku tal-livell ta' appoġġ Komunitarju.	(6) Huwa ta' interess ġenerali Ewropew li l-interessi tas-siġurtà għal servizzi u prodotti mhux ta' l-ikel u l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini, kif ukoll l-interessti tal-konsumatur fl-iżvilupp ta' standards għall-prodotti u għas-servizzi, ikunu rrappreżentati fuq livell Komunitarju. L-għanijiet prinċipali tal-programm jistgħu jiddependu wkoll fuq l-eżistenza ta' netwerks speċjalizzati li jeħtieġu wkoll kontribuzzjonijiet Komunitarji sabiex ikunu jistgħu jiżviluppaw u jaħdmu. Minħabba n-natura partikolari ta' l-għaqdiet ikkonċernati u f'każijiet ta' utilità eċċezzjonali, it-tiġdid ta' l-appoġġ Komunitarju għall-operat ta' dawn l-organizzazzjonijiet m'għandux jiddependi fuq il-prinċipju ta' tnaqqis sistematiku tal-livell ta' appoġġ Komunitarju.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 9 Premessa 7
(7) L-implimentazzjoni tal-programm għandha tibni u żżid ma' azzjonijiet esistenti u arranġamenti strutturali fil-qasam tas-saħħa pubblika u l-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur, kif ukoll l-Aġenzija Eżekuttiva għall-Programm tas-Saħħa Pubblika mwaqqfa mid-Deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni 2004/858/KE. L-implimentazzjoni għandha ssir b'kooperazzjoni mill-qrib ma' l-għaqdiet u l-agenziji rilevanti, b'mod partikolari maċ-Ċentru Ewropew għall-Prevenzjoni u l-Kontroll tal-Mard stabbilit bir-Regolament (KE) 851/2004 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill.	(7) L-implimentazzjoni tal-programm għandha tibni u żżid ma' azzjonijiet eżistenti u arranġamenti strutturali fil-qasam tal-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur L-implimentazzjoni għandha ssir b'kooperazzjoni mill-qrib ma' l-organizzazzjonijiet u l-agenziji rilevanti.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 10 Premessa 8 a (ġdida)
	(8a) L-implimentazzjoni tal-programm għandha tqis li s-suq intern ma jistax jaħdem kif suppost jekk il-konsumaturi ta' xi Stati Membri huma inqas protetti tajjeb minn ta' oħrajn. Il-programm għandu għalhekk jiffoka b'mod speċjali biex isaħħaħ il-ħarsien tal-konsumatur u l-għarfien tal-konsumatur fl-Istati Membri l-ġodda bi qbil mar-riżoluzzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew tal-15 ta' Diċembru 2005 dwar il-promozzjoni u l-protezzjoni ta' l-interessi tal-konsumaturi fl-Istati Membri l-ġodda1. _________________________ 1 Testi Adottati, P6_TA(2005)0526.
Justification
The Committee on Internal Market and Consumer protection has adopted the report on Promotion and Protection of Consumers in the new Member States unanimously, and a great commitment by Parliament to strengthening of consumer protection in the new Member States is clear. It is therefore important that the objectives of this report are kept in mind both by the Commission and the Member States when implementing the Consumer programme 2007-2013.
Emenda 11 Premessa 9
(9) Il-Ftehim dwar iż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea (minn hawn 'il quddiem msejjaħ il-Ftehim ŻEE) jaħseb għall-koperazzjoni fl-oqsma tas-saħħa u tal-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur bejn il-Komunità Ewropea u l-Istati Membri tagħha minn naħa u l-pajjiżi ta' l-Assoċjazzjoni Ewropea għall-Kummerċ Ħieles li jipparteċipaw fiż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea (minn hawn 'il quddiem msejjħa l-pajjiżi EFTA/ŻEE), min-naħa l-oħra. Għandu wkoll jiġi previst li l-programm jinfetaħ għall-parteċipazzjoni minn pajjiżi oħra, partikolarment il-pajjiżi ġirien tal-Komunità, pajjiżi li qed japplikaw għal, kandidati għal jew li deħlin għall-adeżjoni mal-Komunità, filwaqt li jitqies partikolarment il-potenzjal għat-theddid għas-saħħa li jirriżulta f'pajjiżi oħra li jkollu impatt fil-Komunità.	Il-Ftehim dwar iz-Zona Ekonomika Ewropea (minn hawn 'il quddiem imsejjaħ il-Ftehim ZEE) jaħseb għall-koperazzjoni fl-oqsma tas-saħħa bejn il-Komunità Ewropea u l-Istati Membri tagħha minn naħa u l-pajjiżi ta' l-Assoċjazzjoni Ewropea għall-Kummerċ Ħieles li jipparteċipaw fiz-Zona Ekonomika Ewropea (minn hawn 'il quddiem imsejħa l-pajjiżi EFTA/ZEE), min-naħa l-oħra. Għandu wkoll jiġi previst li l-programm jinfetaħ għall-parteċipazzjoni minn pajjiżi oħra, partikolarment il-pajjiżi ġirien tal-Komunità, pajjiżi li qed japplikaw għal, kandidati għal jew li deħlin għal adeżjoni mal-Komunità.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 12 Premessa 11
(11) Huwa xieraq li tiġi żviluppata kooperazzjoni ma' organizzazzjonijiet internazzjonali rilevanti bħalma huma n-Nazzjonijiet Uniti u l-aġenziji speċjalizzati tagħha inkluża l-Organizzazzjoni Dinjija tas-Saħħa, kif ukoll mal-Kunsill ta' l-Ewropa u mal-Organizzazzjoni għall-Kooperazzjoni u l-Iżvilupp Ekonomiku bil-ħsieb li jiġi implimentat il-programm permezz tal-massimizzazzjoni ta' l-effettività u l-effiċjenza ta' azzjonijiet marbuta mas-saħħa u l-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur fuq livell Komunitarju u internazzjonali, filwaqt li jitqiesu l-kapaċitajiet u r-rwoli partikolari ta' l-organizzazzjonijiet differenti.	(11) Huwa xieraq li tiġi żviluppata kooperazzjoni ma' organizzazzjonijiet internazzjonali rilevanti bil-ħsieb li jiġi implimentat il-programm permezz tal-massimizzazzjoni ta' l-effettività u l-effiċjenza ta' azzjonijiet marbuta mal-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur fuq livell Komunitarju u internazzjonali, filwaqt li jitqiesu l-kapaċitajiet u r-rwoli partikolari ta' l-organizzazzjonijiet differenti.
Emenda 13 Premessa 12
(12) Sabiex jiżdied il-valur u l-impatt tal-programm għandu jkun hemm monitoraġġ u evalwazzjoni regolari, inklużi evalwazzjonijiet esterni u indipendenti tal-miżuri meħuda.	(12) Sabiex jiżdied il-valur u l-impatt tal-programm għandu jkun hemm monitoraġġ u evalwazzjoni regolari, inklużi evalwazzjonijiet esterni u indipendenti tal-miżuri meħuda. Għal raġunijiet ta' evalwazzjoni tal-politika tal-konsumatur, numru ta' objettivi għandhom kemm jista' jkun, jiġu fformulati u indikaturi validi jiġu żviluppati.
Emenda 14 Premessa 12 a (ġdida)
	(12a) Minħabba r-rwol ta' kuljum tan-negozji ż-żgħar u ta' l-industriji tas-snajja' biex jinfurmaw u javżaw lill-konsumaturi dwar prodotti u servizzi u emerġenzi tas-saħħa jew riskji inerenti fl-użu ta' ċertu materjali, ix-xogħol magħmul minn negozji u industriji bħal dawn u l-organizzazzjonijiet tagħhom għall-ġid tal-konsumaturi f'kull livell għandu jiġi appoġġjat, u għandu jiġi żgurat li l-leġiżlazzjoni Komunitarja tista' tiġi applikata minnhom.
Justification
Small business operators play an essential day-to-day role in informing and advising the consumers with whom they come into direct contact. It is thus essential to ensure, as far upstream as possible, that European consumer protection policy can be directly implemented by these small businesses. In this context it is essential, before any new direction is taken, to carry out systematic impact studies on craft industries and small businesses.
Emenda 15 Premessa 13
(13) Peress li l-għanijiet ta' l-azzjoni li għandha tittieħed fuq is-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi ma jistgħux jinkisbu effettivament mill-Istati Membri minħabba n-natura tranżnazzjonali tal-kwistjonijiet involuti, u għalhekk jistgħu, minħabba l-potenzjal għal azzjoni Komunitarja li jkunu aktar effiċjenti u effettiva min azzjoni nazzjonali waħedha fil-ħarsien tas-saħħa, tas-sikurezza u ta' l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini, jinkisbu aħjar fuq livell Komunitarju, il-Komunità tista' tadotta miżuri, fi qbil mal-prinċipju tas-sussidjarjetà definit fl-Artikolu 5 tat-Trattat. Skond il-prinċipju tal-proporzjonalità, kif iddikjarat f'dan l-Artikolu, din id-Deċiżjoni ma tmurx lil hemm minn dak li hu meħtieġ sabiex jinkisbu dawn il-għanijiet.	(13) Peress li l-għanijiet ta' l-azzjoni li għandha tittieħed fuq il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi ma jistgħux jinkisbu effettivament mill-Istati Membri minħabba n-natura transnazzjonali tal-kwistjonijiet involuti, u għalhekk jistgħu, minħabba l-potenzjal għal azzjoni Komunitarja li jkunu aktar effiċjenti u effettiva minn azzjoni nazzjonali waħedha fil-ħarsien tas-sikurezza u ta' l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini, jinkisbu aħjar fuq livell Komunitarju, il-Komunità tista' tadotta miżuri, fi qbil mal-prinċipju tas-sussidjarjetà definit fl-Artikolu 5 tat-Trattat. Skond il-prinċipju tal-proporzjonalità, kif iddikjarat f'dan l-Artikolu, din id-deċiżjoni ma tmurx lil hemm minn dak li hu meħtieġ sabiex jinkisbu dawn l-għanijiet.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 16 Premessa 14
Il-Kummissjoni għandha tiżgura tranżizzjoni xierqa bejn dan il-programm u ż-żewġ programmi li dan qed jidħol minflokhom, partikolarment fir-rigward tal-kontinwità ta' miżuri multi-annwali u strutturi ta' appoġġ amministrattiv bħalma hija l-Aġenzija Eżekuttiva għall-Programm ta' Saħħa Pubblika.	(14) Il-Kummissjoni għandha tiżgura tranżizzjoni xierqa bejn dan il-programm u l- programm li dan qed jidħol minfloku, partikolarment fir-rigward tal-kontinwità ta' miżuri multi-annwali kif ukoll l-evalwazzjoni tas-suċċessi tal-programm u l-oqsma ta' qabel li jirrikjedu iżjed attenzjoni.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents from 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 17 Premessa 14 a (ġdida)
	(14a) Jekk il-Kummissjoni tieħu deċiżjoni biex tiddelega l-poteri fir-rigward ta' l-aspetti loġistiċi u amministrattivi ta' l-implimentazzjoni ta' dan il-programm, għandha tagħmel dan wara analiżi tal-benefiċċju ta' l-ispejjeż li tipproduċi riżultati pożittivi u tinvestiga jekk huwiex aħjar li jiġu estiżi l-poteri ta' l-'Aġenzija Eżekuttiva għall-Programm tas-Saħħa Pubblika' iżjed milli tinħoloq aġenzija eżekuttiva addizzjonali.
Emenda 18 Artikolu 1
Programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur li jkopri l-perjodu mill-1 ta' Jannar 2007 sal-31 ta' Diċembru 2013, minn issa 'l quddiem imsejjaħ "il-programm" huwa b'dan stabbilit.	Programm ta' azzjoni Komunitarja fil-qasam tas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur li jkopri l-perjodu mill-1 ta' Jannar 2007 sal-31 ta' Diċembru 2013, minn issa 'l quddiem imsejjaħ 'il-programm' huwa b'dan stabbilit.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 19 Artikolu 2, paragrafu 1
1. Il-programm se jikkomplementa u jappoġġa l-politika ta' l-Istati Membri u se jikkontribwixxi għall-ħarsien tas-saħħa, is-sikurezza u l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini.	1. Il-programm għandu jikkomplementa u jappoġġa l-politika ta' l-Istati Membri u għandu jikkontribwixxi għall-ħarsien tas-sikurezza u l-interessi ekonomiċi taċ-ċittadini permezz ta' azzjonijiet b'valur miżjud.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 20 Artikolu 2, paragrafu 2
2. L-għan imsemmi fil-paragrafu 1 se jissegwa permezz ta' miri komuni flimkien ma' miri speċifiċi fl-oqsma tas-saħħa u tal-ħarsien tal-konsumatur.	2. L-għan imsemmi fil-paragrafu 1 għandu jissegwa permezz ta' l-objettivi li ġejjin, li jridu jintlaħqu permezz ta' azzjonijiet u strumenti stipulati fl-Anness 3:
(a) Il-miri komuni għas-saħħa u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur li għandhom jissegwew permezz ta' l-azzjonijiet u l-istrumenti msemmija fl-Anness 1 ta' din id-Deċiżjoni se jkunu:
- li ċ-ċittadini jitħarsu mir-riskji u t-theddid li m'humiex fil-kontroll ta' individwi;
- li tiżdied il-kapaċità taċ-ċittadini li jieħdu deċiżjonijiet aħjar fir-rigward ta' saħħithom u ta' l-interessi tagħhom bħala konsumaturi;
- u li l-għanijiet ta' politika ta' saħħa u tal-konsumatur jiġu ppopolarizzati.
(b) Il-miri speċifiċi għas-saħħa li għandhom jissegwew permezz ta' l-azzjonijiet u l-istrumenti msemmija fl-Anness 2 ta' din id-Deċiżjoni se jkunu:
– li ċ-ċittadini jitħarsu minn theddid għas-saħħa biex tiġi promossa politika li twassal għal stil ta' ħajja f'qagħda ta' saħħa aħjar;
- li jingħata kontribut għat-tnaqqis ta' l-okkorenza tal-mard ewlieni;
- u biex jitjiebu l-effiċjenza u l-effettività f'sistemi tas-saħħa
(c) Il-miri speċifiċi għall-ħarsien tal-konsumatur li għandhom jissegwew permezz ta' l-azzjonijiet u l-istrumenti msemmija fl-Anness 3 ta' din id-Deċiżjoni se jkunu:
- għarfien aħjar dwar il-konsumaturi u s-swieq;	- għarfien aħjar dwar il-konsumaturi u s-swieq, b'attenzjoni speċjali li tingħata għall-bżonnijiet differenti ta' gruppi ta' etajiet varji;
– regolamentazzjoni aħjar dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi	– regolamentazzjoni aħjar dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi, inklużi parteċipazzjoni ikbar tar-rappreżentanti tal-konsumaturi, partijiet interessati oħra tas-soċjetà ċivili u korpi ta' riċerka, li jistgħu jiġu segwiti minn negozji żgħar u industriji tas-snajja';
– infurzar, monitoraġġ u rimedjar aħjar;	– infurzar, monitoraġġ u mezzi ta' rimedjar ġuridiku u extra ġuridiku aħjar; u
- u konsumaturi aktar infurmati, edukati u responsabbli.	- konsumaturi aktar infurmati, edukati u responsabbli.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents from 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 21 Artikolu 3, paragrafu 2, punt a
(a) 60% għal azzjoni maħsuba biex tgħin sabiex jintlaħaq għan li jagħmel parti mill-politika Komunitarja fil-kamp tas-saħħa u tal-ħarsien tal-konsumatur, minbarra f'każi ta' utilità eċċezzjonali fejn il-kontribut Komunitarju mhux se jaqbeż it-80%; u,	(a) 50% għal azzjoni maħsuba biex tgħin sabiex jintlaħaq għan li jagħmel parti mill-politika Komunitarja fil-kamp tal-ħarsien tal-konsumatur, minbarra f'każi ta' utilità eċċezzjonali fejn il-kontribut Komunitarju m'għandux jaqbeż it-80% taħt il-kundizzjonijiet stipulati fl-Anness 3a;
Emenda 22 Artikolu 3, paragrafu 2, punt b
(b) 60% tan-nefqa għall-operat ta' korp li jsegwi għan ta' interess ġenerali Ewropew fejn appoġġ bħal dan huwa meħtieġ sabiex jiżgura rappreżentazzjoni ta' l-interessi tas-saħħa u tal-konsumaturi fuq livell Komunitarju jew sabiex jiġu implimentati miri ewlenin tal-programm, minbarra fil-każijiet ta' utilità eċċezzjonali fejn il-kontribut Komunitarju mhux se jaqbeż il-95%. It-tiġdid ta' kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji bħal dawn jista' jiġi eżentat mill-prinċipju ta' tnaqqis sistematiku.	(b) 50% tan-nefqa għall-operat ta' korp li jsegwi għan ta' interess ġenerali Ewropew fejn appoġġ bħal dan huwa meħtieġ sabiex jiżgura rappreżentazzjoni ta' l-interessi tas-saħħa u tal-konsumaturi fuq livell Komunitarju jew sabiex jiġu implimentati miri ewlenin tal-programm taħt il-kundizzjonijiet stipulati fl-Anness 3a; u
Emenda 23 Artikolu 3, paragrafu 2, punt b a (ġdid)
	(ba) 95% ta' l-ispiża biex jiffunzjonaw l-organizzazzjonijiet Ewropej tal-konsumatur li jirrappreżentaw l-interessi tal-konsumatur fl-iżvilupp ta' standards għal prodotti u servizzi fil-livell Komunitarju taħt il-kundizzjonijiet stipulati fl-Anness 3a.
Emenda 24 Artikolu 3, paragrafu 2 a (ġdid)
	2a. It-tiġdid ta' kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet stipulati f'paragrafi 2(b) u (ba) jistgħu jiġu eżentati mill-prinċipju ta' tnaqqis gradwali.
Emenda 25 Artikolu 3, paragrafu 3
3. Għall-iskop tal-paragrafu 1(a) hawn fuq, kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji mill-Komunità jistgħu, fejn jixraq, minħabba n-natura ta' l-għan li għandu jinkiseb, jinkludu finanzjament konġunt mill-Komunità u Stat Membru wieħed jew aktar jew mill-Komunità u l-awtoritajiet kompetenti tal-pajjiżi parteċipanti l-oħra. F' dan il-każ, il-kontribut Komunitarju mhux se jaqbeż il-50%, ħlief f'każijiet ta' utilità eċċezjonali, fejn il-kontribut Komunitarju mhux se jaqbeż is-70%. Dawn il-Kontribuzzjonijiet Komunitarji jistgħu jingħataw lil korp pubbliku jew korp li ma joperax bi qligħ magħżula mill-Istat Memru jew l-awtorità kompetenti kkonċernata u bil-qbil tal-Kummissjoni.	3. Għall-iskop tal-paragrafu 1(a) hawn fuq, kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji mill-Komunità jistgħu, fejn jixraq, minħabba n-natura ta' l-għan li għandu jinkiseb, jinkludu finanzjament konġunt mill-Komunità u Stat Membru wieħed jew aktar jew mill-Komunità u l-awtoritajiet kompetenti tal-pajjiżi parteċipanti l-oħra. F' dan il-każ, il-kontribut Komunitarju mhux se jaqbeż il-50%, ħlief f'każijiet ta' utilità eċċezzjonali, fejn il-kontribut Komunitarju m'għandux jaqbeż is-70%.
Emenda 26 Artikolu 3, paragrafu 4 a (ġdid)
	4a. Il-kriterji għall-evalwazzjoni jekk l-utilità eċċezzjonali msemmija f'paragrafi 2(a) u 3 japplikawx jew le għandhom jiġu stabbiliti minn qabel fil-pjan annwali ta' ħidma msemmi fl-Artikolu 7(1)(a).
Emenda 27 Artikolu 5, paragrafu 1
1. Il-qafas finanzjarju għall-implimentazzjoni tal-programm għall-perjodu speċifikat fl-Artikolu 1 huwa ta’ 1203 miljun EUR.	1. Il-qafas finanzjarju indikattiv għall-implimentazzjoni tal-programm preżenti għall-perjodu ta' 7 snin li jibda fl-1 ta' Jannar 2007, speċifikat fl-Artikolu 1 huwa ta’ 23 346 miljun EUR.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health) and the EP resolution on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013 from 8 June 2005 (Financial Perspectives - Böge Report).
Emenda 28 Artikolu 7, paragrafu 1, punt a
(a) il-pjan ta' ħidma annwali għall-implimentazzjoni tal-programm, li jistipula l-prijoritajiet u l-azzjonijiet li għandhom jitwettqu, inkluża l-allokazzjoni ta' riżorsi u kriterji rilevanti;	(a) il-pjan ta' ħidma annwali għall-implimentazzjoni tal-programm, li jistipula l-prijoritajiet u l-azzjonijiet li għandhom jitwettqu, inkluża l-allokazzjoni ta' riżorsi u kriterji rilevanti, fost l-oħrajn kriterji għal selezzjoni u għoti u kriterji għall-persentaġġ tal-kontribuzzjoni finanzjarja mill-Komunità, biex jiġu applikati;
Emenda 29 Artikolu 11
Id-Deċiżjonijiet Nru 1786/2002/KE u Nru 20/2004/KE ġew revokati.	Id-Deċiżjoni Nru 20/2004/KE ġiet revokata.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 30 Artikolu 12
Il-Kummissjoni se tadotta kull miżura meħtieġa sabiex tiġi żgurata tranżizzjoni bejn il-miżuri adottati taħt id-Deċiżjonijiet 1786/2002/KE u 20/2004/KE u dawk li għandhom jiġu implimentati taħt dan il-programm.	Il-Kummissjoni għandha tadotta kull miżura meħtieġa sabiex tiġi żgurata it-tranżizzjoni bejn il-miżuri adottati taħt id-Deċiżjoni 20/2004/KE u dawk li għandhom jiġu implimentati taħt dan il-programm.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 31 Anness 1
	Dan l-anness qed jitħassar.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 32 Anness 2
	Dan l-anness qed jitħassar.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 33 Anness 3 a (ġdid)
	ANNESS 3a: Benefiċjarji - Kriterji għall-applikazzjoni ta' l-Artikolu 3
	1. Il-kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 3(2) jistgħu jingħataw lil kwalunkwe persuna legali jew assoċjazzjoni ta' persuni legali, inklużi korpi pubbliċi indipendenti xierqa u organizzazzjonijiet reġjonali tal-konsumatur, li jaġixxu indipendentement mill-industrija u l-kummerċ u huma responsabbli għall-implimentazzjoni tal-proġetti.
	2. Il-kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 3(2)(b) jistgħu jingħataw lil organizzazzjonijiet Komunitarji tal-konsumatur li:
	(a) mhumiex governattivi, ma jagħmlux profitt, huma indipendenti mill-interessi ta' l-industrija, kummerċjali u tan-negozju jew interessi ta' kunflitt oħra, u li għandhom bħala l-objettivi u l-attivitajiet primarji tagħhom il-promozzjoni u l-protezzjoni tas-saħħa, tas-sigurtà u ta' l-interessi ekonomiċi tal-konsumaturi fil-Komunità;
	(b) ġew awtorizzati biex jirrappreżentaw l-interessi tal-konsumaturi f'livell Komunitarju minn organizzazzjonijiet nazzjonali tal-konsumatur f'mill-inqas nofs l-Istati Membri li huma rappreżentattivi, bi qbil mar-regoli jew prattika nazzjonali, tal-konsumaturi u li huma attivi f'livell reġjonali jew nazzjonali, u
	(c) ippreżentaw rendikonti sodisfaċenti lill-Kummissjoni tas-sħubija tagħhom, tar-regoli interni u tas-sorsi ta' finanzjament.
	3. Il-kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 3(2)(ba) jistgħu jingħataw lil organizzazzjonijiet Komunitarji tal-konsumatur li:
	(a) mhumiex governattivi, ma jagħmlux profitt, huma indipendenti mill-interessi ta' l-industrija, kummerċjali u tan-negozju jew interessi ta' kunflitt oħra, u li għandhom bħala l-objettivi u l-attivitajiet primarji tagħhom li jirrappreżentaw l-interessi tal-konsumatur fil-proċess ta' standardizzazzjoni fil-livell Komunitarju;
	(b) ġew awtorizzati f'mill-inqas żewġ terzi ta' l-Istati Membri biex jirrappreżentaw l-interessi tal-konsumaturi f'livell Komunitarju:
	- minn korpi rappreżentattivi, bi qbil mar-regoli jew prattika nazzjonali, ta' organizzazzjonijiet nazzjonali tal-konsumatur fl-Istati Membri, jew
	- fin-nuqqas ta' korpi bħal dawn, minn organizzazzjonijiet nazzjonali tal-konsumatur fl-Istati Membri li huma rappreżentattivi, bi qbil mar-regoli u l-prattiki nazzjonali, ta' konsumaturi u huma attivi f'livell nazzjonali; u
	(c) ippreżentaw rendikonti sodisfaċenti lill-Kummissjoni tas-sħubija tagħhom, tar-regoli interni u tas-sorsi ta' finanzjament.
	4. Il-kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 3(3) jistgħu jingħataw lil korp pubbliku jew korp li ma jagħmilx profitt magħżula mill-Istat Membru jew l-awtorità kompetenti ikkonċernata u bil-qbil tal-Kummissjoni.
Emenda 34 Titolu ta' l-Anness 3
ANNESS 3: Politika tal-Konsumaturi - Azzjonijiet u Miżuri ta' Appoġġ	ANNESS: Azzjonijiet u Strumenti msemmija fl-Artikolu 2
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer protection and health).
Emenda 35 Anness 3, Sezzjoni ‘Għan I’, Azzjoni 3
Azzjoni 3: Il-ġbir, skambju u analiżi ta' data u l-iżvilupp ta' għodod ta' evalwazzjoni li jipprovdu bażi ta' evidenza xjentifika dwar l-esponiment tal-konsumaturi għal aġenti kimiċi rilaxxati mill-prodotti.	Azzjoni 3: Il-ġbir, skambju u analiżi ta' dejta u l-iżvilupp ta' għodod ta' evalwazzjoni li jipprovdu bażi ta' evidenza xjentifika dwar l-espożizzjoni tal-konsumaturi għal aġenti kimiċi meħlusa mill-prodotti.
Emenda 36 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "L-Ewwel Għan", Azzjoni 3a (ġdida)
	AZZJONI 3a: It-twaqqif ta' mekkaniżmu għal rappurtar regolari dwar il-konsum u l-ħarsien tal-konsumatur fis-suq Ewropew, ibbażat fuq l-istabbilizzazzjoni ta' sistema ta' informazzjoni u osservazzjoni permanenti tal-konsumatur fuq livell Ewropew biex ikun hemm ġbir, proċessar u analizi ta' dejta li tista' tiġi użata biex tipprovdi informazzjoni li hija oġġettiva, kumparabbli u ta' min joqgħod fuqha biex tippermetti lill-Komunita u lill-Istati Membri jieħdu miżuri biex jipproteġu lill-konsumaturi, biex jevalwaw ir-riżultati ta' dawn il-miżuri, biex jinkoraġġixxu l-iskambju ta' informazzjoni dwar l-aħjar prattika u jiżguraw li l-pubbliku in ġenerali huwa infurmat sew dwar kwistjonijiet tal-konsumatur fis-suq intern.
Justification
An instrument of this kind would improve the political impact of consumer policy at European level and help to launch a major public debate every two or three years on the changes linked to consumption and consumer protection.
Emenda 37 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "L-Ewwel Għan", Azzjoni 3b (ġdida)
	Azzjoni 3b: Inventarju ta' leġiżlazzjoni, regolamenti u prattiki fl-Istati Membri u evalwazzjoni ta' sa fejn tasal l-implimentazzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni tal-Komunita fl-Istati Membri.
Justification
It is essential to carry out an inventory of the existing legislation, regulations and practices in the various Member States. Consumer protection is a subject taken into account both by a number of Member States and also by businesses, whatever their size. Steps should be taken to ensure that the European Union takes account of existing legislation and endeavours to ensure that the Member States without such legislation are encouraged to remedy this deficiency.
Emenda 38 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tieni Għan"
It-tieni għan - Regolamentazzjoni aħjar dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi	It-tieni għan - Regolamentazzjoni aħjar u uniformi dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi.
Azzjoni 4:        It-tħejjija ta' inizjattivi leġiżlattivi u inizjattivi regolatorji oħra u l-promozzjoni ta' inizjattivi li jirregolaw irwieħhom, li tinkludi:	Azzjoni 4:        It-tħejjija ta' inizjattivi leġiżlattivi u inizjattivi regolatorji oħra u l-promozzjoni ta' inizjattivi li jirregolaw irwieħhom, li jiżguraw il-parteċipazzjoni ta' l-operaturi kkonċernati, bħal organizzazzjonijiet ta' impriżi żgħar u medji, mikroimpriżi u industriji tas-snajja', li tinkludi:
4.1.     L-analiżi komparattiva tas-swieq u tas-sistemi regolatorji.	4.1. L-analiżi komparattiva tas-swieq u tas-sistemi regolatorji.
4.2.     Esperjenza legali u teknika għat-tfassil tal-politika dwar is-sikurezza tas-servizzi.	4.2. Esperjenza legali u teknika għat-tfassil tal-politika dwar is-sikurezza tas-servizzi.
4.3      Esperjenza teknika fir-rigward ta' l-evalwazzjoni tal-ħtieġa għal standards ta' sikurezza tal-prodotti u t-tfassil ta' mandati ta' standardizzazzjoni CEN għall-prodotti u s-servizzi.	4.3. Esperjenza teknika fir-rigward ta' l-evalwazzjoni tal-ħtieġa għal standards ta' sikurezza tal-prodotti u t-tfassil ta' mandati ta' standardizzazzjoni CEN għall-prodotti u s-servizzi.
4.4. Esperjenza legali u teknika għall-iżvilupp tal-politika dwar l-interessi ekonomiċi tal-konsumaturi..	4.4. Esperjenza legali u teknika għall-iżvilupp tal-politika dwar l-interessi ekonomiċi tal-konsumaturi.
4.5. "Workshops" ma' partijiet interessati u esperti.	4.5. "Workshops" ma' partijiet interessati u esperti.
	4.5a Djalogu bejn organizzazzjonijiet Ewropej tal-konsumatur , rappreżentanti ta' negozju - b'attenzjoni partikolari għall-impriżi żgħar u medji - u l-Kummissjoni.
	Kompetenza legali u teknika għall-iżvilupp ta' strument ta' armonizzazzjoni għall-ħarsien tal-konsumatur u ftehimiet transkonfinali.
	Kompetenza legali u teknika għall-iżvilupp ta' linji gwida dwar prattika tajba ta' negozju, li jinkludu ħtiġijiet li jwasslu li l-produtturi jkunu jistgħu, meta ssir it-talba, jivverifikaw dikjarazzjonijiet li jikkonċernaw prodotti jew servizzi u jagħtu informazzjoni b'il quddiem lill-konsumaturi dwar il-kundizzjonijiet ta' l-akkwist.
Emenda 39 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tielet Għan", Azzjoni 5a (ġdida)
	AZZJONI 5a: L-istabbilizzazzjoni ta' qafas istituzzjonali ġenerali u legali għall-kooperazzjoni bejn l-Istati Membri rigward l-applikazzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni.
Justification
In an increasingly integrated single market national authorities are responsible for actual compliance with laws in the sphere of consumer protection. This obligation applies not only to their own consumers, but to all consumers in the EU. The required institutional and legal framework either does not exist or is at an embryonic stage.
Emenda 40 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tielet Għan", Azzjoni 7, punt 3a (ġdid)
	7.3a. Li jkun hemm appoġġ għal parir xjentifiku u evalwazzjoni dwar riskju, li jinkludu x-xogħlijiet tal-kumitati xjentifiċi indipendenti stabbiliti mid-Deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni 2004/210/EC1. ___________ 1 ĠU L 66, 4.3.2004, p. 45.
Emenda 41 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tielet Għan", Azzjoni 7, punt 4a (ġdid)
	7.4a. L-analiżi ta' dejta dwar korriment u dwar l-iżvilupp ta' linji gwida għall-aħjar prattika rigward is-sikurezza ta' prodotti u servizzi tal-konsumatur u li din l-informazzjoni tkun faċilment disponibbli għall-konsumatur.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents from 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer and health).
Emenda 42 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tielet Għan", Azzjoni 7, punt 4b (ġdid)
	7.4b. L-iżvilupp ta' metodoloġiji u ta' manutenzjoni tad-'database' għall-ġbir ta' dejta dwar korrimenti rigward is-sikurezza tal-prodotti u s-servizzi tal-konsumatur.
Emenda 43 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tielet Għan", Azzjoni 9
Azzjoni 9: Il-monitoraġġ tat-traspożizzjoni u l-implimentazzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi mill-Istati Membri, notevolment id-Direttiva dwar il-Prassi Kummerċjali Inġusti, u ta' politika nazzjonali dwar il-konsumaturi..	Azzjoni 9: Il-monitoraġġ tat-traspożizzjoni u l-implimentazzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni dwar il-ħarsien tal-konsumaturi mill-Istati Membri, notevolment id-Direttiva dwar il-Prassi Kummerċjali Inġusti u r-Regolament dwar kooperazzjoni amministrattiva, u ta' politika nazzjonali dwar il-konsumaturi.
Justification
This rule constitutes an important step forward in ensuring that the Member States work together to ensure respect for consumer policy.
Emenda 44 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "It-Tielet Għan", Azzjoni 10
Azzjoni 10: Il-provvista' ta' esperjenza speċifika teknika u legali għal għaqdiet tal-konsumaturi b'appoġġ għall-kontribut tagħhom lejn l-azzjonijiet ta' infurzar u sorveljanza.	Azzjoni 10: Il-forniment ta' esperjenza speċifika teknika u legali għal għaqdiet tal-konsumaturi, u partikolarment għall-għaqdiet tal-konsumatur fl-Istati Membri l-ġodda, b'appoġġ għall-kontribut tagħhom lejn l-azzjonijiet ta' infurzar u sorveljanza.
Emenda 45 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan", Azzjoni 10a (ġdida)
	Azzjoni 10a: Titjib tal-komunikazzjoni maċ-cittadini ta' l-UE dwar kwistjonijiet tal-konsumatur, li tinkludi:
	10.1. Konferenzi u seminars u laqgħat ta' l-esperti u l-parteċipanti
	10.2. Pubblikazzjonijiet dwar kwistjonijiet ta' interess għall-politika tal-konsumatur
	10.3. Għoti ta' informazzjoni 'online'.
Emenda 46 Anness 3, Titlu tas-Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan"
Ir-raba' għan: Konsumaturi aktar infurmati, edukati u responsabbli	Ir-Raba' għan - Konsumaturi li huma kapaċi aktar li jieħdu deċiżjonijiet aħjar dwar l-interessi tagħhom bħala konsumaturi: konsumaturi aktar infurmati, edukati u responsabbli.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer and health).
Emenda 47 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan", Azzjoni 12
Azzjoni 12: Azzjonijiet ta' informazzjoni dwar miżuri ta' ħarsien tal-konsumaturi, partikolarment fl-Istati Membri l-ġodda, f'kooperazzjoni ma' l-għaqdiet tal-konsumatur tagħhom.	Azzjoni 12: Azzjonijiet ta' informazzjoni dwar miżuri ta' ħarsien tal-konsumaturi u drittijiet tal-konsumatur, partikolarment fl-Istati Membri l-ġodda, f'kooperazzjoni ma' l-għaqdiet tal-konsumatur tagħhom.
Emenda 48 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan", Azzjoni 13
Azzjoni 13: L-edukazzjoni tal-konsumaturi, inklużi l-azzjonijiet immirati lejn konsumaturi żgħar, u l-iżvilupp ta' għodod interattivi għall-edukazzjoni tal-konsumaturi.	Azzjoni 13: L-edukazzjoni tal-konsumaturi, inklużi azzjonijiet speċifiċi immirati lejn konsumaturi żgħar, konsumaturi ta' eta akbar u gruppi speċifiċi ta' konsumaturi li huma ċarament anqas kapaċi li jiddefendu l-interessi tagħhom, u l-iżvilupp ta' għodod interattivi għall-edukazzjoni tal-konsumaturi.
Emenda 49 Anness 3, Ir-Raba' Għan, Azzjoni 16
Azzjoni 16: Kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet konġunti ma' korpi pubbliċi jew li ma joperawx bi qligħ li jikkostitwixxu n-netwerks Komunitarji li jipprovdu l-informazzjoni u l-assistenza lill-konsumaturi biex jgħinuhom jeżerċitaw id-drittijiet tagħhom u jiksbu aċċess għal mezzi ta’ riżoluzzjoni tat-tilwim xierqa (in-Netwerk Ewropew ta' Ċentri tal-Konsumaturi).	Azzjoni 16: Kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal azzjonijiet konġunti ma' korpi pubbliċi jew li ma joperawx bi qligħ li jikkostitwixxu n-netwerks Komunitarji li jipprovdu l-informazzjoni u l-assistenza lill-konsumaturi biex jgħinuhom jeżerċitaw id-drittijiet tagħhom u jiksbu aċċess għal għajnuna u parir legali, medjazzjoni u forom oħra ta' mezzi alternattivi ta’ riżoluzzjoni tat-tilwim, inkluż is-sistema tal-Kummissjoni SOLVIT, li kollha kemm huma għandhom jiġu taħt l-aegis tan-Netwerk Ewropew ta' Ċentri tal-Konsumaturi. Attenzjoni partikolari se tingħata rigward l-assistenza ta' l-Istati Membri l-ġodda u l-pajjiżi li se jissieħbu.
Justification
The scope of this action should be as broad as possible and clearly cover the existing mechanisms that are available to the citizen, including the SOLVIT system. Particular attention for new or acceding Member States is necessary to support their less well-developed consumer organisations.
Emenda 50 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan", Azzjoni 18a (ġdida)
	Azzjoni 18a: Espansjoni tal-kapaċitajiet ta' l-għaqdiet tal-konsumatur fi Stati Membri li m'għandhomx tradizzjoni daqshekk soda rigward ħarsien tal-konsumatur u parteċipazzjoni tal-konsumatur fit-tfassil ta' politika billi jiġi pprovdut lilhom taħriġ biex jakkwistaw kompetenza u assistenza finanzjarja għall-kampanji ta' informazzjoni u monitoraġġ ta' leġiżlazzjoni tal-konsumatur tal-Komunita.
Justification
Consumer organisations in the new Member States are in particular need of capacity building as most of them are just starting to develop. Many of these organisations do not receive any government support, nor are they able to develop services for which consumers would pay, as consumers are not even aware that they have rights. They therefore lack financial resources and cannot build up expertise. There is also an awareness problem, not only among consumers, but also among politicians from the new Member States, who have not had the same experience working with consumer organisations as their counterparts from the old Member States.
Emenda 51 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan" a (ġdid)
	Ir-Raba' Għan a - Parteċipazzjoni akbar tas-soċjeta ċivili, tal-korpi ta' riċerka u tal-parteċipanti fit-tfassil ta' politika rigward il-ħarsien tal-konsumatur u l-iżvilupp ta' kooperazzjoni internazzjonali fil-qasam ta' riċerka relatata mal-konsumatur biex jintlaħqu l-bżonnijiet tas-soċjeta u tiġi evitata d-duplikazzjoni
	Azzjoni 19a: Il-promozzjoni u t-tisħiħ ta' l-għaqdiet tal-konsumatur fuq il-livell Komunitarju.
	Azzjoni 19b: Isir netwerk ta' għaqdiet mhux governattivi tal-konsumaturi u parteċipanti oħra.
	Azzjoni 19c: Tisħiħ ta' korpi u mekkaniżmi konsultattivi fil-livell Komunitarju.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents from 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer and health).
Emenda 52 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan" b (ġdid)
	Ir-Raba' Għan b - 'Mainstreaming' ta' għanijiet għall-politika tal-konsumatur
	Azzjoni 19d: Żvilupp u applikazzjoni ta' metodi ta' valutazzjoni ta' l-impatt ta' politiki tal-Komunita u attivitajiet dwar l-interessi tal-konsumatur.
	Azzjoni 19e: Skambju ta' l-aħjar prattika ma' l-Istati Membri dwar politiki nazzjonali.
Justification
Emenda 53 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Ir-Raba' Għan" c (ġdid)
	Ir-Raba' Għan c - Il-Promozzjoni ta' kooperazzjoni internazzjonali relatata mal-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur
	Azzjoni 19f: Miżuri għal kooperazzjoni ma' għaqdiet internazzjonali.
	Azzjoni 19g: Miżuri għal kooperazzjoni ma' pajjiżi terzi li ma jipparteċipawx fil-programm.
	Azzjoni 19h: Inkoraġġiment għal djalogu bejn l-għaqdiet tal-konsumatur.
Justification
This amendment follows from the Decision of the Conference of Presidents of 30 June 2005 to split the programme into its component parts (consumer and health).
Emenda 54 Anness 3, Sezzjoni "Komuni għall-għanijiet kollha", Azzjoni 20
Azzjoni 20: Kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal proġetti speċifiċi fuq livell Komunitarju jew nazzjonali b'appoġġ għal għanijiet oħra tal-politika dwar il-konsumaturi.	Azzjoni 20: Kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji għal proġetti speċifiċi fuq livell Komunitarju jew nazzjonali b'appoġġ għal għanijiet tal-politika dwar il-konsumaturi, li jinkludu proġetti li jippromwovu skambju transkonfinali ta' informazzjoni u ta' l-aħjar prattiki.

• [1]  Għadha mhix ippubblikata fil-ĠU.

NOTA SPJEGATTIVA

1. Background to, and structure of, the new strategy and the decision proposed by the Commission

A 'programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008)', established by Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 152 of the Treaty, is currently in place. Separately from this, there is also a programme of action 'establishing a general framework for financing Community actions in support of consumer policy for the years 2004 to 2007'. The decision establishing this programme, Decision No 20/2004/EC, was taken on the basis of Article 153 of the Treaty.

The Commission is proposing that these two decisions be repealed before the programmes are due to expire and replaced by an integrated programme running for seven years, beginning in 2007. The Commission is convinced that its proposal to integrate the programmes will make Community policy more efficient, coherent and visible, given that both areas have certain shared objectives and similar types of actions are often used to pursue them. Thanks to streamlined administrative and budgetary procedures and with the help of a joint 'executive agency', a joint programme would, in the Commission's view, ultimately deliver savings.

In order to exploit the synergies three 'core joint objectives' and six 'common actions' are set out in the proposal. A budget line is also proposed, with an amount of EUR 1 203 million. In addition, the executive agency set up in 2004 for the public health programme is to be extended and will encompass consumer protection.

In order to respond to stakeholders' expectations, the specific nature of the two policy areas continues to be taken into account and the programme is to retain the specific features of actions in each area and further develop them. Consequently, in addition to the section on common action there is also a separate section on health and a separate section on consumer policy actions and support measures.

2. Rapporteur's comments on the integrated action programme structure

Your rapporteur advocates splitting the integrated programme into a new consumer protection programme and a new public health programme. Neither the practical nor the policy arguments in favour of integrating the aforementioned action programmes are convincing. The synergies aimed at will in practice be much smaller than hoped for. And the economies of scale to which the Commission refers are nowhere demonstrated in the impact study, which runs to many pages. Another argument against an integrated programme relates to the Commission's powers in the two areas, which are too different.

The idea of integrating the programmes also does not square well with the respective social objectives of the civil society organisations involved in the two fields. The same applies to the way in which powers are allocated internally in the Member States, and the fact that, as a rule, they are not only spread across the various departments but, in federal states, also across various policy levels. Furthermore, users of public health services cannot in every respect be treated in the same way as 'pure' consumers.

In addition to these substantive and institutional reasons, there are also budgetary considerations justifying keeping the two programmes separate. Each sector has greater certainty when it has its own budget line. It is also striking that no one has requested this 'merger' and that, in general, stakeholders (certainly on the consumer side) do not support it.

Your rapporteur therefore proposes - in consultation with the rapporteur for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, and with the endorsement of the Conference of Presidents - that the proposal be split and that the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection look only at consumer protection. The following comments therefore deal solely with the consumer protection aspects of the proposed multiannual programme.

3. Rapporteur's comments on the action programme on consumer protection

Article 1 establishes the programme for a seven-year period (2007-2013) as the successor to the current programme, which is repealed in Article 11. This is wholly in accordance with the request made earlier by the Parliament to the Commission (resolution of 8 June 2005 on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the Enlarged Union 2007-2013, Böge report). Although the current consumer programme has not yet expired, it is appropriate to begin in good time with the legislative programme and have it run for a period coinciding with the (hoped-for) interinstitutional agreement on the financial perspective.

Article 2 sets out the objectives, which are fleshed out with actions and instruments in the annex. The key elements of the current programme are retained, but reordered and extended. In future, for example, attention will be paid to deepening knowledge of, and extending scientific data on, consumer demand and behaviour and markets. The development of reliable indicators and benchmarks for consumer policy is also new. If these are subsequently used as an instrument for evaluating the results of programmes, progress will also be possible in this area. In your rapporteur's view, the indicators used up to now are, regrettably, too one-sidedly quantitative and too subjective and could therefore well be improved.

As a consequence of the split, some objectives and actions set out in the list of common objectives and in the annex must be reformulated and moved.

As regards the substance of the concrete actions, more - and explicit - attention needs to be paid to:

- the new Member States, where there is often a less long‑standing tradition in the area of consumer protection and consumer involvement in policy, as a result of which awareness of consumer rights and consumer organisations' capabilities are still too limited;

- the ageing of the population, bearing in mind that some older people are among those consumers less able to defend their interests;

- making vulnerable consumers, for whom it is not always possible to guarantee adequate, legally secure protection under the law, and to whom additional attention should therefore be paid in action programmes, more able to defend their interests.

Article 3 lays down the methods of implementation and the maximum amount of the Community's contribution to actions and expenditure for the functioning of certain organisations. It is noticeable that the ceilings for the Community's financial contribution have been considerably increased and the criteria for allocation, as well as the conditions for exceptionally applying higher ceilings, are much less clear than in the current programme. Little justification for this is to be found in the impact study. It is therefore better - unless adequate additional arguments are given by the Commission - to keep the normal maximum at 50% and to agree to the exceptional maxima at the increased level provided that systematic, explicit justification is given for the 'exceptional utility' which is the reason for applying the higher ceiling.

Articles 4, 6 and 7 entrust implementation to the Commission, which is to be assisted by a committee (under the commitology procedure).

Article 5 lays down, subject to later approval by the budgetary authority, the total budget for the whole period of the programme. In view of the splitting of the proposed programme into two separate programmes, this budget should be adjusted. For this purpose, your rapporteur has applied the distribution formula used by the Commission itself, giving a total sum of EUR 233.46 million. This sum represents a considerable increase in the financial resources allocated to the consumer programme. This is justified in the light of - inter alia - the impact of the previous enlargement of the European Union and the future enlargement to include countries with a less deep-rooted tradition of consumer protection. It is also in accordance with the aforementioned Parliament resolution of 8 June 2005.

Articles 8 and 9 deal with international aspects. Unlike under the previous programme, provision is rightly made for possible participation by countries covered by neighbourhood agreements, countries involved in accession procedures or applying for membership and certain western Balkan countries.

Article 10 relates to monitoring, (interim) evaluation and dissemination of results.

Article 12 charges the Commission with taking any necessary transitional measures.

Executive agency

In the articles of the proposal there is no reference to possible delegation of implementing powers in respect of the programme to an 'executive agency'. However, mention is made of this in recital 14 and in the Communication from the Commission which is contained together with the proposal in the same Commission document.

In your rapporteur's view, there would be benefits to a decision by the Commission to delegate powers. The Commission would have more room to pursue its policy tasks and would be able to put more of its efforts into adapting the 'acquis' more quickly, taking account of the objectives of 'better regulation'. If the Commission plans to take a decision to delegate powers, your rapporteur recommends that a cost-effectiveness analysis is first carried out, that delegated powers are restricted to logistical and administrative tasks and that they are entrusted to the executive agency set up for the public health programme, the name of which should if necessary be changed. The consumer protection section of the agency should preferably not be called an 'institute'. This would be very misleading in relation to its powers.

Language

Finally, your rapporteur wishes to complain about the inadequate attention, or the complete lack of attention, paid to the translation of Commission documents in this dossier. The extended impact study is available only in a panaché language version (alternately French and English, even within a single chapter). And, moreover, even the two annexes that form part of the communication (which has itself been translated) setting out the strategy and contained in the same COM document, are - in all of the language versions of the document - regrettably only available in English.

OPINION of the Committee on Budgets (27.1.2006)

for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a Programme of Community action in the field of Health and Consumer protection (2007-2013) - Consumer aspects

(COM(2005)0115 – C6‑0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD))

Draftswoman: Brigitte Douay

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

PREAMBLE

This communication aims to set up a joint health and consumer protection programme. The public health aspect falls within the remit of the environment committee and will be dealt with separately. The purpose of the present document is to deliver an opinion on the consumer protection aspect for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, the committee responsible.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this programme is to harmonise consumer protection throughout the single market, so that citizens can move around the Union and buy goods with the same confidence as in their countries of origin.

The programme will be organised around objectives that are common to health and consumer protection and around objectives that are specific to each of them.

The common objectives of the health and consumer protection aspects are:[1]

· To protect citizens from risks and threats which are beyond the control of individuals and that cannot be effectively tackled by individual Member States alone (e.g. health threats, unsafe products, unfair commercial practices).

· To increase the ability of citizens to take better decisions about their health and consumer interests.

· To mainstream health and consumer policy objectives across all Community policies in order to put health and consumer issues at the centre of policy-making.

Consumer protection is organised around four specific objectives, which are based on those pursued in the 2002-2006 programme:

· Better understanding of consumers and markets;

· Better consumer protection regulation;

· Better enforcement, monitoring and redress;

· Better-informed and -educated consumers.

All of these objectives must be implemented by seeking synergies with other Community policies. In more general terms, coordination between consumer protection policy and other policies (research or structural policies) should be encouraged, so that it can become the norm.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The budget allocated for the period amounts to € 1 203 million (excluding administrative costs), spread over five budget items (3 for public health, 2 for consumer protection: 17 02 01 and 17 01 04 03), and calls for the use of an executive agency. On this subject, the committee recommends that the remit of the executive agency for health be extended, so that the latter can provide the technical assistance required by this programme in a rational and effective fashion, bearing in mind the doubling of appropriations in comparison with the current programme.

The budget allocation for the whole period is divided up as follows:

           € 110 981 million for measures common to the two policies

€ 804 995 million for health

€ 193 838 million for consumer protection

€ 93 185 million allocated to funding the Consumer Institute (executive agency).

COMMENTS

The rapporteur welcomes the Commission proposal, particularly the significant increase in the budget allocated to consumer protection, and the Commission’s wish to incorporate this policy in all Community programmes and instruments.

The rapporteur nevertheless wishes to make the following comments:

1.        It should be pointed out that the amount referred to in Article 5 must be regarded as purely indicative until final agreement has been reached on the financial perspectives.

2.        Counterfeiting, which initially affected luxury industries in the form of fraudulent copying of trademarks, designs and models, has now spread to all areas of the economy. It no longer affects only major companies, but also SMEs and, above all, consumers, since counterfeit products pose an increasing risk to consumer health and safety, whether in the form of adulterated medicines, defective electrical appliances, substandard spare parts, cosmetics which are nothing short of toxic, or dangerous toys. This is why consumers, who – knowingly, naively or unwittingly – are the potential customers of counterfeiters, must be better informed of the real dangers to themselves and their families, and the legal penalties that can be incurred.

3.        All possible synergies between Community instruments on consumer protection must be set in motion in order to optimise the performance of this programme, the budget for which is relatively limited given the importance of what is at stake.

4.        The Commission must therefore take all necessary measures to ensure that the programme is as cost-effective as possible, and show in an interim evaluation report the progress achieved in this area over a period of five years.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Budgets calls on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Draft legislative resolution

Amendment 1 Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that the appropriations mentioned in the legislative proposal for the period after 2006 are subject to the decision on the next multiannual financial framework;

Amendment 2 Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls on the Commission, if appropriate, to present a proposal aimed at adjusting the financial reference amount of the present programme when the next multiannual financial framework is adopted;

Justification

The financial reference amount cannot be determined until the financial perspectives have been finally adopted. Once this decision is made, the Commission will have to present a legislative proposal in order to determine the reference amount, taking account of the corresponding ceiling of the financial framework.

Proposal for a decision

Text proposed by the Commission[2]	Amendments by Parliament
Amendment 3 Recital 4
(4)       Health and consumer protection policies share common objectives relating to protection against risks, improving decision-making of citizens and integrating health and consumer protection interests in all Community policies, as well as common instruments such as communication, capacity-building for civil society regarding health and consumer protection issues, and promoting international cooperation on these issues. Issues such as diet and obesity, tobacco and other consumption-related choices related to health are examples of cross-cutting issues affecting both health and consumer protection. Taking a joint approach to these common objectives and instruments will enable activities common to both health and consumer protection to be undertaken more efficiently and effectively. There are also separate objectives relating to each of the two areas of health and consumer protection which should be addressed through actions and instruments specific to each of the two areas.	(4)       Health and consumer protection policies share common objectives relating to protection against risks, improving decision-making of citizens and integrating health and consumer protection interests in all Community policies, as well as common instruments such as communication, capacity-building for civil society regarding health and consumer protection issues, and promoting international cooperation on these issues. Issues such as diet and obesity, tobacco, at-risk behaviours and other consumption-related choices related to health are examples of cross-cutting issues affecting both health and consumer protection. Counterfeiting, which deceives consumers and at the same time endangers their health, must also be vigorously combated at European level. Taking a joint approach to these common objectives and instruments will enable activities common to both health and consumer protection to be undertaken more efficiently and effectively. There are also separate objectives relating to each of the two areas of health and consumer protection which should be addressed through actions and instruments specific to each of the two areas.
Justification
Action must be taken at European and international level to step up the fight against counterfeiting, which is tantamount to stealing products and trademarks; it is deceptive to consumers, a danger to health and harmful to employment (it is estimated that 100,000 jobs are lost every year in the European Union as a result of counterfeiting).
Amendment 4 Article 3, paragraph 2, point (b)
(b) 60 % of expenditure for the functioning of a body pursuing an aim of general European interest where such support is necessary to ensure representation of health or consumer interests at Community level or to implement key objectives of the programme, except in case of exceptional utility where the Community contribution shall not exceed 95 %. The renewal of such financial contributions may be exempted from the principle of gradual decrease.	(b) 60 % of expenditure for the functioning of a body pursuing an aim of general European interest where such support is necessary to ensure representation of health or consumer interests at Community level or to implement key objectives of the programme, except in case of exceptional utility, as in the case of bodies representing consumers in the context of standardisation, where the Community contribution shall not exceed 95 %. The Commission may, as a general rule, seek to grant core funding on a two-year basis by means of a network partnership convention. In accordance with Article 163 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 laying down the implementing rules for the Financial Regulation1 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, such a network partnership convention establishes long-term cooperation between the recipient and the Commission which may not, however, exceed two years. ____________________________________ 1 Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/ 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1).
Justification
The application of Article 163 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation will provide the relevant consumer organisations with more financial certainty and reduce the administrative burden of both the Commission and the European consumer organisations. Core financing is, contrary to project funding, by nature distributed to organisations which pursue long term objectives. Therefore, the possibility of establishing a long-term cooperation is especially suited to applicants for core funding.
Amendment 5 Article 4
The Commission shall ensure the implementation of the programme in accordance with the provisions of Article 7.	The Commission shall ensure the implementation of the programme in accordance with the provisions of Article 7, making use inter alia of the measures and mechanisms already in existence in the areas of health and consumer protection in order to foster synergies and guarantee successful coordination and high visibility for the measures implemented.
Amendment 6 Article 5, paragraph 1
1. The financial framework for the implementation of the programme for the period specified in Article 1 is EUR 1 203 million.	1. The indicative financial framework for the implementation of the present programme for the 7-year period beginning on 1 January 2007 is EUR 1 203 million.
Justification
The financial reference amount is indicative until the financial perspectives have been finally adopted. Once this decision has been taken, the Commission will have to present a legislative proposal in order to determine the reference amount, taking account of the corresponding ceiling of the financial framework (see the amendment to the legislative resolution).
Amendment 7 Article 5, paragraph 2 a (new)
	2a. The overall administrative expenditure of the programme including internal and management expenditure for the Executive Agency referred to in Article 3, paragraph 1a, should be proportionate to the tasks provided for in the programme concerned and is subject to the decision of the budgetary and legislative authorities.
Amendment 8 Article 7, paragraph 1, introductory part
1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the following shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2):	1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the following shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(3):
Justification
Amendment 9 Article 9 a (new)
	Article 9a Protection of the Community’s financial interests 1. The Commission shall ensure that , when actions financed under the present Regulation are implemented, the provisions of the Financial Regulation are complied with and the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests, Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities,2 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)3.   2. For the Community actions financed under the present Decision, the concept of irregularity referred to in Article 1, paragraph 2, of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall mean any infringement of a provision of Community law or any breach of a contractual obligation resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator, which has, or could have, the effect of prejudicing the general budget of the Communities or budgets managed by them, by an unjustified item of expenditure. 3. The Commission shall ensure that the best possible cost-effectiveness is achieved in the financing of Community measures under the present decision. __________________ 1 OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. 2 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. 3 OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.
Justification
The Financial regulation constitutes the main legal text on the protection of financial interests.
Amendment 10 Article 10, paragraph 3
3.        The Commission shall ensure that the programme is evaluated three years after its start and following the end of the programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, accompanied by its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.	3.        The Commission shall ensure that the programme is evaluated three years after its start, two years before its end and following the end of the programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, accompanied by its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Justification
It is important that in the event of the programme’s being extended a recent evaluation should be available.
Amendment 11 Annex 1, point 1.1 a (new)
	1.1a Information to consumers on the dangers to their health and safety of counterfeit products.
Justification
Consumers must have better information on the dangers to their health and safety of certain counterfeit products, such as medicines, cosmetics, toys, spare automobile parts, etc.
Amendment 12 Annex 3, Objective IV, Action 18
Financial contributions to the functioning of Community consumer organisations.	Financial contributions to the functioning of Community consumer organisations, more specifically in the new Member States.
Justification
Consumer organisations in the new Member States desperately need funding to enable them to develop their capacity, since most of them were formed very recently and receive no government funding.
PROCEDURE
Title Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a Programme of Community action in the field of Health and Consumer protection (2007-2013) - Consumer aspects References COM(2005)0115 – C6‑0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD) Committee responsible IMCO Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)   Date announced in plenary BUDG 7.7.2005 Enhanced cooperation   Date announced in plenary No Draftswoman   Date appointed Brigitte Douay 4.7.2005 Previous draftswoman     Discussed in committee 25.1.2006         Date adopted 25.1.2006 Result of final vote +: –: 0: Unanimous Members present for the final vote Herbert Bösch, Simon Busuttil, Paulo Casaca, Brigitte Douay, Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop, Markus Ferber, Neena Gill, Louis Grech, Catherine Guy-Quint, Jutta D. Haug, Anne E. Jensen, Wiesław Stefan Kuc, Janusz Lewandowski, Vladimír Maňka, Mario Mauro, Giovanni Pittella, Wojciech Roszkowski, Anders Samuelsen, Nina Škottová, László Surján, Helga Trüpel, Yannick Vaugrenard, Kyösti Tapio Virrankoski, Ralf Walter, Marilisa Xenogiannakopoulou Substitute(s) present for the final vote Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Paul Rübig, Margarita Starkevičiūtė Substitutes under Rule 178(2) present for the final vote   Observations (information available in only one language) ...

• [1]  COM(2005)0115, page 3, point 2.1.
• [2]  Not yet published in OJ.

OPINION of the Committee on Legal Affairs (1.2.2006)

for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme of Community action in the field of health and consumer protection (2007-2013) - consumer aspects

(COM(2005)0115 – C6‑0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD))

Draftsman: Aloyzas Sakalas

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

The Commission's proposal brings together both public health and consumer protection policies under one programme framework. In response to the main committees' (Internal Market and Environment) request, the Conference of Presidents decided on 30 June 2005 to split the proposal. The Committee on Legal Affairs wishes to express its support for this decision, because of the risk that public health policy would override the policy of consumer protection. Moreover, the economies of scale are not made out by the extended impact assessment prepared by the European Commission. The Committee has nevertheless concentrated on those parts of the proposal that fall within its competence, as defined by the Rules of Procedure. Accordingly, this opinion is addressed to the Internal Market Committee, which is responsible for the consumer protection part of the proposal.

The proposal establishes a seven-year programme as the successor to the current programme, based on Decision 20/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a general framework for financing Community actions in support of consumer policy for the years 2004-2007. The Committee on Legal Affairs considers it appropriate that the duration of the programme should correspond to that of the Financial Perspective of the Union, finally adopted during the December 2005 European Council. The extension of the consumer protection objectives is also welcome. However, the Committee would like to propose some amendments in order to contribute to the improvement of the European consumer protection policy.

The decision establishing the current programme was taken on the basis of Article 153 of the Treaty and the same legal basis is proposed now. The Committee on Legal Affairs takes the view that the legal basis for this proposal is properly chosen. The principle of subsidiarity is respected, since the Decision establishing a Programme is the most appropriate instrument to achieve the objectives pursued, establishing a framework for supporting the actions of the Member States.

The extended impact assessment of the strategy and programme states in point 2.2 that there are challenges that "only action on EU level can tackle" and that national action should be complemented by Community measures. For this purpose the Commission also plans to extend the scope of action of the public health programme executive agency, in order to establish a European Consumer Institute to implement the actions for consumer protection. The Committee on Legal Affairs supports the idea, but suggests that an analysis should be carried out prior to this proposal. It proposes that the European agency for consumer protection should be a separate body from the Health Agency, although they could have a common infrastructure and share facilities and resources.

The proposed programme seems to provide added value on top of the existing measures in consumer protection field, bearing in mind that new Member States joined the EU in 2004, and that in some of these countries the traditions of consumer protection and consumer involvement in policy-making is significantly less long-standing. Another issue, relevant to the whole Union, is that consumers still do not take full advantage of the Internal Market because of lack of confidence, insufficient reference to consumer interests in framing other European policies and the weak self-organisation of consumers. Moreover, the presently available financial and human resources do not allow the Commission systematically and consistently to collect data about various consumer protection aspects and develop a knowledge base for the development of consumer protection at EU level.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Legal Affairs calls on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Text proposed by the Commission[1]		Amendments by Parliament

AMENDMENTS to proposal 1

Amendment 1 Recital 3
(3) Whilst maintaining the core elements and specificities of actions on health and consumer protection, a single integrated programme should help to maximise synergies in objectives and efficiency in administration of actions in these areas. Combining health and consumer protection activities in a single programme should help to meet joint objectives on protecting citizens from risks and threats, increasing the ability for citizens to have the knowledge and opportunity to make decisions in their interests and supporting mainstreaming of health and consumer objectives in all Community policies and activities. Combining administrative structures and systems should enable more efficient implementation of the programme and help to make best use of available Community resources for health and consumer protection.	(3) Whilst maintaining the core elements and specificities of actions on health and consumer protection, a single integrated programme should help to maximise synergies in objectives and efficiency in administration of actions in these areas. Combining health and consumer protection activities in a single programme should help to meet joint objectives on increasing citizens' confidence in the internal market, protecting citizens from risks and threats, increasing the ability for citizens to have the knowledge and opportunity to make decisions in their interests and supporting mainstreaming of health and consumer objectives in all Community policies and activities. Combining administrative structures and systems should enable more efficient implementation of the programme and help to make best use of available Community resources for health and consumer protection.
Justification
The objectives of the policy implemented in the fields of health and consumer affairs should be to improve EU citizens' quality of life from their health point of view, and to increase safety and confidence in internal market products.
Amendment 2 Recital 14 a (new)
	(14a) The Commission should prepare a proposal for the setting-up of an agency to carry out the tasks of the envisaged Consumer Institute as an agency separate from the Executive Agency for the Public Health Programme but using shared infrastructure and facilities.
Justification
There is a need for the Commission to be supported in the management of the consumer protection actions, as well as a body that would be capable of undertaking all the data analysis relevant for the consumer protection objectives. With regard to the split of the original proposal into two parts, a 'Consumer Institute' (proper name to be chosen at the moment of establishment) should not form part of the Public Health Agency, but it could be reasonable that both of them share resources for the reason of economy.
Amendment 3 Recital 14 b (new)
	(14b) The Commission's Directorate General on Health and Consumer Protection should undertake to work closely with other Directorates General in the Commission from the earliest possible stage where their work has a bearing on consumer protection. This is regarded as particularly important in the case of the Directorate General for Justice, Freedom and Security as regards its work in the field of civil law (private international law, mediation, alternative dispute resolution, legal aid) and in the case of the Directorate General for Internal Market and Services.
Justification
Many of the legislative proposals prepared by the DG for Justice, Freedom and Security are relevant to consumer protection. The European Commission should be obliged to undertake the adequate internal consultations. This amendment responds to the need to integrate consumer-protection policy with other Community policies.
Amendment 4 Article 2, paragraph 1
1. The programme shall complement and support the policies of the Member States and shall contribute to protecting the health, safety and economic interests of citizens.	1. The programme shall complement and support the policies of the Member States and shall contribute to protecting the health, safety and economic interests of citizens by means of added value actions.
Justification
The improvement of European citizens' health is the ultimate objective of all the activities carried out in the field of health in the context of the Treaty and its modernisation through research is essential.
Amendment 5 Article 2, paragraph 2, point (c), second indent
– better consumer protection regulation;	– better consumer protection regulation; in particular better integration of consumer-protection policy into other Community policies, especially in the field of civil law;
Justification
The need to ensure consistency with other Community policies should be brought as a specific objective of the programme.
Amendment 6 Article 3 a (new)
	Article 3a Beneficiaries 1. The financial contributions for joint actions 6 and 16 may be awarded to a public body or a non-profit-making body designated by the Member State or the competent authority concerned and agreed by the Commission. 2. The financial contributions for action 17 may be awarded to European consumer organisations which: (a) are non-governmental, non-profit-making and independent of industry, commercial and business or other conflicting interests, and have as their primary objective and activities the representation of consumer interests in the standardisation process at Community level, and (b) have been mandated in at least two- thirds of the Member States to represent the interests of consumers at Community level: - by bodies representative, in accordance with national rules or practice, of national consumer organisations in the Member States, or - in the absence of such bodies, by national consumer organisations in the Member States that are representative of consumers, in accordance with national rules or practice, and are active at national level. 3. The financial contributions for action 18 may be awarded to European consumer organisations which: (a) are non-governmental, non-profit-making and independent of industry, commercial and business or other conflicting interests, and have as their primary objective and activities the promotion and protection of the health, safety and economic interests of consumers in the Community, and (b) have been mandated to represent the interests of consumers at Community level by national consumer organisations in at least half the Member States, are representative of consumers , in accordance with national rules or practice, and are active at regional or national level, and (c) have provided to the Commission satisfactory accounts of their membership, internal rules and sources of funding.
Justification
The conditions to be fulfilled by the organisations financed in the framework of the programme should remain the same as specified in Article 7 of the existing Decision 20/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, establishing a general framework for financing Community actions in support of consumer policy for the years 2004-2007.
Amendment 7 Article 9
In the course of implementing the programme, relations with third countries that are not participating in the programme and relevant international organisations shall be encouraged.	In the course of implementing the programme, relations with third countries that are not participating in the programme and relevant international organisations shall be encouraged, especially with regard to product safety and dealing with rogue traders.
Justification
Enhancing the ability of citizens to take better decisions in their interests in the field of health, and as consumers, and developing synergies between the various Member States' services are essential to the process of framing a Community policy for the health and protection of European citizens.
Amendment 8 Annex 3, Objective I, Action 2
The collection and exchange of data and information that provide an evidence base for the development of consumer policy and for the integration of consumer interests in other Community policies, including, surveys of consumer and business attitudes, consumer-related and other market research in the financial services area, collection and analysis of statistical and other relevant data, the statistical element of which will be developed using as necessary the Community Statistical Programme.	The collection and exchange of data and information that provide an evidence base for the development of consumer policy and for the integration of consumer interests into other Community policies, including, surveys of consumer and business attitudes, in particular the way in which differing legal regimes and the lack of effective cross-border redress mechanisms affect consumer behaviour in the internal market, consumer-related and other market research in the financial services area, collection and analysis of statistical and other relevant data, the statistical element of which will be developed using as necessary the Community Statistical Programme.
Justification
There is a large body of evidence that suggests that differing legal regimes have a dissuading effect on consumer exercising their right to cross border purchases.
Amendment 9 Annex 3, Objective II, Action 4, point 4.4.
Legal and technical expertise for policy development on the economic interests of consumers	Legal and technical expertise for policy development on the economic interests of consumers, to include continued consideration of a model for a European class action
Amendment 10 Annex 3, Objective III, Action 6
Financial contributions for specific joint surveillance and enforcement actions to improve administrative and enforcement cooperation on Community consumer protection legislation, including the General Product Safety Directive, and other actions in the context of administrative cooperation.	Financial contributions for specific joint surveillance and enforcement actions to improve administrative and enforcement cooperation on Community consumer protection legislation, including the General Product Safety Directive, and other actions in the context of administrative cooperation, subject to the conditions set out in Article 3a(1).
Justification
Amendment necessary as a consequence of Amendment 3.
Amendment 11 Annex 3, Objective IV, Action 16
Financial contributions for joint actions with public or non-profit bodies constituting Community networks that provide information and assistance to consumers to help them exercise their rights and obtain access to appropriate dispute resolution (the European Consumer Centres Network)	Financial contributions for joint actions with public or non-profit bodies constituting Community networks that provide information and assistance to consumers to help them exercise their rights and obtain access to appropriate dispute resolution (the European Consumer Centres Network), subject to the conditions set out in Article 3a(1).
Justification
Amendment necessary as a consequence of Amendment 3.
Amendment 12 Annex 3, Objective IV, Action 16
Financial contributions for joint actions with public or non-profit bodies constituting Community networks that provide information and assistance to consumers to help them exercise their rights and obtain access to appropriate dispute resolution (the European Consumer Centres Network.)	Financial contributions for joint actions with public or non-profit bodies constituting Community networks that provide information and assistance to consumers to help them exercise their rights and obtain access to legal aid and advice, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, including the Commission's SOLVIT system, all of which are to be brought under the aegis of the European Consumer Centres Network. Particular attention will be paid to assisting the new Member States and acceding countries.
Justification
The scope of this action should be as broad as possible and clearly cover the existing mechanisms that are available to the citizen, including the SOLVIT system. Particular attention for new or acceding Member States is necessary to support their less well-developed consumer organisations.
Amendment 13 Annex 3, Objective IV, Action 17
Financial contributions to the functioning of Community consumer organisations representing consumer interests in the development of standards for products and services at Community level.	Financial contributions to the functioning of Community consumer organisations representing consumer interests in the development of standards for products and services at Community level, subject to the conditions set out in Article 3a(2).
Justification
Amendment necessary as a consequence of Amendment 3.
Amendment 14 Annex 3, Objective IV, Action 18
Financial contributions to the functioning of Community consumer organisations.	Financial contributions to the functioning of Community consumer organisations, subject to the conditions set out in Article 3a(3).
Justification
Amendment necessary as a consequence of Amendment 3.

Title	Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme of Community action in the field of health and consumer protection (2007-2013) - consumer aspects
References	COM(2005)0115 – C6 0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD)
Committee responsible	IMCO
Opinion by   Date announced in plenary	JURI 13.10.2005
Enhanced cooperation – date announced in plenary	No
Draftsman   Date appointed	Aloyzas Sakalas 15.9.2005
Previous drafts(wo)man
Discussed in committee	28.11.2005
Date adopted	31.1.2006
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	18 0 0
Members present for the final vote	Maria Berger, Bert Doorn, Giuseppe Gargani, Kurt Lechner, Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Katalin Lévai, Marcin Libicki, Hans-Peter Mayer, Aloyzas Sakalas, Francesco Enrico Speroni, Rainer Wieland, Nicola Zingaretti, Jaroslav Zvěřina, Tadeusz Zwiefka
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Alexander Nuno Alvaro, Nicole Fontaine, Jean-Paul Gauzès, Roland Gewalt, Eva Lichtenberger, Manuel Medina Ortega, Michel Rocard
Substitute(s) under Rule 178(2) present for the final vote
Comments (available in one language only)	...

PROCEDURE

Title	Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme of Community action in the field of health and consumer protection (2007-2013) - consumer aspects
References	COM(2005)0115 – C6‑0225/2005 – 2005/0042B(COD)
Date submitted to Parliament	6.7.2005
Committee responsible   Date announced in plenary	IMCO 7.7.2005
Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)   Date announced in plenary	BUDG 7.7.2005			JURI 13.10.2005			ENVI 7.7.2005
Not delivering opinion(s)   Date of decision	ENVI 14.9.2005
Enhanced cooperation   Date announced in plenary	No
Rapporteur(s)   Date appointed	Marianne Thyssen 4.7.2005
Previous rapporteur(s)
Simplified procedure – date of decision
Legal basis disputed   Date of JURI opinion				/			JURI 31.1.2006
Financial endowment amended   Date of BUDG opinion				/			BUDG 2.2.2006
European Economic and Social Committee consulted – date of decision in plenary
Committee of the Regions consulted – date of decision in plenary
Discussed in committee	12.7.2005	14.9.2005			23.11.2005			25.1.2006		21.2.2006
Date adopted	21.2.2006
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:		30 0 0
Members present for the final vote	Godfrey Bloom, Charlotte Cederschiöld, Mia De Vits, Janelly Fourtou, Evelyne Gebhardt, Małgorzata Handzlik, Malcolm Harbour, Anna Hedh, Alexander Lambsdorff, Kurt Lechner, Lasse Lehtinen, Arlene McCarthy, Toine Manders, Manuel Medina Ortega, Béatrice Patrie, Zita Pleštinská, Zuzana Roithová, Luisa Fernanda Rudi Ubeda, Heide Rühle, Leopold Józef Rutowicz, Andreas Schwab, József Szájer, Marianne Thyssen, Jacques Toubon, Bernadette Vergnaud, Barbara Weiler
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Simon Coveney, Cecilia Malmström, Joseph Muscat, Alexander Stubb, Gary Titley, Anja Weisgerber
Substitute(s) under Rule 178(2) present for the final vote
Date tabled	23.2.2006
Comments (available in one language only)	...

• [1]  Not yet published in OJ