The Week ahead

Parliament’s Environment Committee will confirm the final agreement reached between the Institutions, improving the current EU Civil Protection Mechanism, on Monday. The renewed mechanism will help Member States deal with natural and man-made disasters ranging from health emergencies, floods, fires, as well as terrorist attacks and chemical and nuclear threats. It will become operational at the end of April.

The Legal Affairs Committee will vote on the agreement reached with the Council on the amendments to the Satellite and Cable Directive on Wednesday. The agreement includes mechanisms to facilitate the clearance of copyright and related rights of radio and TV content for cross-border digital broadcast and retransmissions. The new rules will provide for a wider distribution of news and current affairs programmes and will promote access to information.

The last pieces of the Clean Energy Package will be put in place when the Parliament's Industry Committee adopts the results of negotiations on four legislative acts (two on the internal electricity market and risk-preparedness in the electricity sector, and new rules for the energy regulators {ACER}). The Clean Energy Package, which is a central piece of the Energy Union in Europe, will deliver affordable, clean and secure energy for consumers and businesses all over Europe - a triumph for both the climate and the wallet!

As part of the 'New Deal for Consumers' package introduced in April 2018, the proposal for 'Better enforcement and modernisation of EU consumer protection rules' would amend four consumer protection Directives and target various consumer issues. This includes, for example, penalties for infringements; transparency in online marketplaces such as more clarity for consumers to see weather reviews are real, and requirements for traders to be open and clear about their ranking systems; and protection for consumers as regards 'free' digital services, the right of withdrawal and dual quality of products. Members of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will vote on the Report on Tuesday 22 January.

The Single Market Programme for 2021-2027 aims to fix the existing gaps currently hampering the fully-functioning Single Market by bringing previously separate programmes and numerous actions under one umbrella. “There's no doubt that the Single Market has already given so much to Europeans during its 25 years. The new Single Market Programme will be a very important tool to support the competitiveness of our industries, particularly SMEs, and also to make sure the internal market is functioning in a harmonised manner and offering high-quality, safe products to all our citizens", says Inese Vaidere MEP, the EPP Group Spokeswoman on the topic. The programme foresees €4 billion for consumer protection and Europe's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee Members will vote on the Report on Tuesday.

More choice for consumers, more competition on the market and higher quality for lower ticket prices: these are the EPP Group's priorities when it comes to further liberalising the European bus and coach markets. The Transport and Tourism Committee will adopt its position on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will vote on new rules easing access to the EU Single Market for fertilisers from organic or recycled materials and setting limits for cadmium. The agreed text will significantly reduce health and environmental risks for consumers and make it easier for producers to sell fertilisers across the EU. The limits for cadmium content have been set to 60 mg/kg and will be applied three years after the entry-into-force of the new rules. The Environment Committee will vote on its opinion on Monday.

Wednesday, Thursday: EPP Group Presidency with Heads of National Delegations meeting in Rotterdam, including a study visit to the port of Rotterdam area

Monday @ 11.00 hrs: Briefing on the parliamentary agenda

Tuesday @ 11.00 hrs: Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Santiago Fisas Ayxelà and others on 'The Petitions Committee on the lack of objectivity of Catalan Television'