As to the process of consultation, development and approval of the Energy Consumer Charter, Meglena Kuneva, Consumer protection commissioner, states: "The deregulation of the energy markets is as much a challenge as an opportunity" for the European citizens and families. "Only when we create a transparent and effective market can we say we have achieved our goals". Four are the main goals that Barroso’s Commission would like to pursue with the new Charter: "more effective protection of vulnerable citizens; better consumer information; less bureaucracy to change providers; protection of consumers from unfair business practices". In particular, the "consumer rights protected by the future Charter should be the following": connection (i.e. the right to receive regular, secure services for a consideration) all over the EU; the right to change providers free of charge; "transparent" contracts; "reasonable" and "comparable" prices; social measures, offering for instance basic services (electricity, heating and lighting) to "vulnerable" citizens, "to prevent energy-related poverty".
