Survey sparks EU probe into power market

Three areas of services which really matter to people – energy, banking and transport (trains, buses and trams) – are causing the most problems for consumers, according to a new EU Report published today by the European Commission. The 2nd EU Annual Consumer Markets Scoreboard Report published February 2009 screens more than 20 goods and services sectors (including food, clothing, footwear, financial services, energy and telecoms) against 5 key consumer indicators – prices, switching, satisfaction, complaints and safety. The aim is to identify where markets have a high risk of malfunctioning for consumers. Consumer conditions in the retail electricity market will be the target of an in-depth market analysis by the European Commission in 2009.

European Commission: DG Health and Consumer Protection: Consumer Markets Scoreboard http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/strategy/facts_en.htm

European Commission: Press Release: IP/09/202: Consumers: Energy, banking, and urban transport "underperforming" for consumers http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/202&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 3.2.09: Commission to probe electricity retail market http://www.euractiv.com/en/food/commission-probe-electricity-retail-market/article-179073

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