Recommendation of the Member of Parliament P.E.. Kozani Stathis Konstantinidis in the Plenary Session of the Parliament at the N / S of the Ministry of Development and Investment "Taking additional measures for the implementation of the Rules of Procedure (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 to promote fair treatment and transparency for business users of online mediation services (L 186), arrangements for the Inter-Service Market Control Unit, the Competition Commission, market operation and other provisions ".
The following is the suggestion:
"Thank you, Mr President,
Mr. Minister
Ladies and gentlemen
Unfortunately, for another year, on this day we witnessed incidents and diversions, which I regret to say found fertile ground in very poor comparisons and intolerable parallels, expressed by some political forces on the occasion of the restrictions placed on the events in honor of today's anniversary. The majority of Greek citizens, suffering the painful effects of the health crisis and consistently following the instructions of experts, expects from all of us the expression of respect for the fighters of democracy but also the unconditional condemnation of those who despise the democratic acquis and endanger public health.
In everything,as to the draft law, it deals with issues that concern the whole market, that is, by small businesses, the popular markets, to digital commerce, which is developing worldwide but also in our country at a rapid pace. For this reason, and in particular to ensure a healthy and competitive environment, which serves both businesses and consumers, it becomes necessary to strengthen supervisors in order to carry out their task, to identify any distortions in the market and to impose sanctions on violators, something that is attempted by the more specific provisions of the bill, to which I will refer later.
The Draft Law to be voted on is structured in 6 (4 essentially parts), as its title suggests and develops into 22 articles:
The first part therefore concerns the fuller adaptation of the national framework to the Regulation (EU) 1150/2019 of the European Parliament and of the Council on fairer treatment and transparency in the use of online (online) mediation services.
Online brokerage services are practically the digital platforms that enable companies to be displayed in search engines and offer products and services to consumers by performing direct transactions..
It is a fact that online brokerage services offer access to a wide range of markets and commercial opportunities.. The need, Nevertheless, businesses to promote and reach customers via the internet, sometimes forces them to accept burdensome terms of cooperation with electronic platforms, which are contrary to the rules of transactional ethics and distort competition. So, by the Regulation itself, Providers of online platforms are required to implement a fast and effective internal complaint control system and respond promptly to complaining users.
In addition, with the regulations of the first part of the bill:
– provides the opportunity for collective action in associations of persons and public bodies, representing users of online services,
– A register is created at the Ministry of Development and Investment, where they can be registered,
– issues are regulated for the exercise of control by DIMEA on the mentioned providers, the supervisory framework is delimited and the sanctioning one is determined, according to which this service may impose fines starting from 1.500 euros and they reach 2 million. euros to those who violate the rules of operation of this commercial / digital ecosystem,
– further, provides for the possibility of organizing a delinquency register, which can also be used to determine the amount of the fine for those who commit illegal acts.
The second part of the bill contains regulations related to the operation of the new Inter-Service Market Control Unit. These amend the provisions concerning the organizational structure and the responsibilities of the departments, while the creation of new organic positions is foreseen to cover the operational needs of the institution. While a commander's office is set up and staffed, which is in charge of the bureaucratic part of its duties.
The third part of the bill refers to the Competition Commission and the introduced regulations aim at ensuring its sustainable and efficient operation., in terms of the resources needed, in order to be able to serve its admittedly crucial role. It is treated, so, sufficient financial autonomy, which is an essential condition for its independence.
With the provisions of the relevant provisions, the Authority 's revenue depends on a reasonable proportion, with the course of the country's gross national product, but also taking into account effectiveness criteria. In addition, the Authority is given the opportunity to raise resources from other sources, such as European grants and aid for research projects. Moreover, stipulates that the Commission is subject only to repressive scrutiny by the Court of Auditors.
Further, issues for the utilization of the Authority's assets are also regulated, but also the improvement of the framework for the purchase or lease of real estate. End, A Committee of Experts is set up to prepare a study for the evaluation of the Commission's work every three years on the basis of quality criteria and indicators..
With the provisions of the fourth part are attempted, minor but not minor, interventions in the optional operation of local small businesses in municipal communities with a population of less than 5.000 residents and in addition the body responsible for the operation of the public markets is given the opportunity to operate these six of the seven days of the week, of their choice, taking into account the local characteristics and needs of the people who work there, but also of each local community.
These are the most substantial interventions of the bill, since in the fifth part technical adjustments are attempted, while the sixth concerns the immediate start of its implementation.
And because, As already mentioned, these are deemed essential and necessary, as well as the amendments introduced, I also suggest their vote. "
