Press Release: Towards a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers

A new initiative to reinforce the rights of energy consumers in the EU was launched on 5 July 2007, as the European Commission put forward a proposal for an Energy Consumers’ Charter. The Charter is expected to set out consumers’ rights in the areas of electricity and gas supply, including contracts, information, prices, dispute settlement and protection against unfair commercial practices. It will be the first time that these rights are outlined in a single document. The Charter will help consumers make informed decisions in choosing suppliers when exercising their rights in electricity and gas markets opened up to competition - as will be the case in most EU Member States by 1 July 2007.