Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2009-03-25-Speech-3-465"
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"en.20090325.34.3-465"2
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"Although the EU Treaty clearly prohibits cartels and other infringements of competition law, it is still difficult for affected consumers in the European Community to claim their rights to compensation.
In Romania, for example, a cartel set up in the cement industry was recently fined several million euro. However, the current legislation in force does not oblige authorities with the powers to monitor competition to get involved in compensation for victims.
I would like to stress the need for these authorities to take into consideration the compensation paid or which should be paid when they calculate the fines imposed on companies which are found guilty of abuses, so as to prevent discrepancies between the harm caused and the punitive measures applied, and especially to ensure damages are paid to those affected by such practices.
This is why I welcome the Commission’s intention to improve the methods for guaranteeing the rights of consumers affected by infringement of the law throughout Europe.
Parliament stated very clearly that there must not be any ‘opt-out’ system in Europe. Therefore, the victims must be identified as quickly as possible at the time a complaint is made.
The ‘opt-in’ system guarantees that victims affected by the infringement of competition law will actually be compensated. Parliament does not want anyone else, be it lawyers, trade associations or the Consumer Protection Office, to benefit as a result of private actions.
I also believe that Parliament is adding a new important element which the Commission’s proposal has omitted. Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are in many cases much more effective for victims who are entitled to compensation than judicial procedures. I am referring to the fact that at the time when compensation is being sought, settlements must be initiated first of all outside the courts. They are much less costly than private actions as consumers will be compensated for the losses suffered much more quickly."@en1
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