EU requirements for protection of consumers and vulnerable customers at the internal energy market

V magistrskem delu bo predstavljena ureditev varstva potrošnikov in varstva ranljivih odjemalcev na področju notranjega energetskega trga, ki ga gospodinjskim odjemalcem in ranljivim odjemalcem zagotavljata zakonodaja EU in Energetski zakon. Naloga je namenjena prikazu pravne ureditve tako na nivoju EU kot tudi v Republiki Sloveniji. Potrošniki na notranjem energetskem trgu zaradi pomanjkanja znanja in informacij sodijo med najšibkejše udeležence na tem trgu in zato potrebujejo posebno varstvo. Varstvo potrošnikov se nenehno razvija in spreminja, saj potrošnik nima vseh relevantnih informacij, težko sledi spremembam, ni vedno dovolj seznanjen s svojimi pravicami in obveznostmi in jih zato tudi ne more ali ne more dovolj učinkovito uveljavljati. Po vstopu Slovenije v EU je slovenski potrošnik postal tudi udeleženec notranjega trga EU, ki obsega območje brez notranjih meja. Danes je za varstvo potrošnikov v Evropi značilna pristojnost EU, ki s svojo pravno ureditvijo (predvsem direktivami in uredbami) postopoma spreminja nacionalno zakonodajo. Direktive pa pravic potrošnikov ne urejajo celovito, temveč urejajo le posamezna področja, ki so bolj ali manj izpostavljena in urejajo razmerja med podjetji in potrošniki. Evropa si prizadeva zagotoviti trajnostno, zanesljivo in cenovno ugodno oziroma potrošnikom dostopno energijo za vse odjemalce v EU. Te dolgoročne cilje pa je mogoče doseči s tesnejšo povezavo celotne EU, saj odločitve ene države članice lahko vplivajo na vse potrošnike v EU. EU v primerjavi s preteklimi obdobji posveča zelo veliko pozornost prav varstvu, varuje ranljive skupine odjemalcev, krepi moč in neodvisnost nacionalnih regulativnih organov, ki imajo tudi pooblastila, da kršitelje ustrezno sankcionirajo ter uvajajo jasne in predvsem potrošnikom razumljive račune.The master thesis presents regulation of consumer protection and the protection of vulnerable customers in the internal energy market, represents to the household customers and vulnerable customers by EU law and Energy act. The task of the thesis is to present a legal regime both at EU level and in the Republic of Slovenia. Due to a lack of knowledge and information consumers in the internal energy market belongs among the weakest participants in this market and therefore need special protection. Consumer protection is constantly evolving and changing. Because the consumer does not have all the information about their rights and obligations they and therefore cannot, or cannot effectively enough exercise their rights. After Slovenia joined the EU, the Slovenian consumer is also becoming part of the EU internal market, comprising an area without internal borders. The consumer’s protection in Europe is characterized by competence of the EU, which with its law (mainly with Directives and Regulations) gradually changing national legislation. However, directives do not govern consumer rights globally, but only regulate individual areas that are more or less exposed to and governing the relationship between businesses and consumers. Europe seeks to ensure a sustainable, reliable, affordable and accessible energy for all consumers and other customers in the EU. These long-term goals can only be achieved through closer connection across the EU because the decision of one Member State may affect all consumers in the EU. In comparison with previous periods, today the EU devotes huge attention to the consumer protection, to protect vulnerable consumers, strengthening the power and independence of national regulatory authorities, which have also mandates to adequately sanction the offenders and to introduce clear and understandable bills for the consumers