EU proposes energy consumer rights charter

European Union energy consumers should have a charter that sets out their rights when dealing with gas and electricity companies, the European Commission proposed on Thursday.
The Commission said the charter would lay out in one document a series of rights granted to citizens under EU law including reasonable and transparent prices, procedures to file complaints in the case of a dispute, and the right to switch energy providers without hassle or excessive paperwork.
The Commission said it will discuss proposed elements of the Energy Consumers' Charter with officials from the EU's 27 member states and other interested parties in the coming months with the goal of presenting and signing a final document in December.