Article 35 5.

By 31 December 2021, the Commission shall, subject to any changes to the provisions relating to retail markets in Directive 2009/73/EC, carry out an assessment, and submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council, on the provisions related to metering, billing and consumer information for natural gas, with the aim of aligning them, where appropriate, with the relevant provisions for electricity in Directive (EU) 2019/944, in order to strengthen consumer protection and enable final customers to receive more frequent, clear and up-to-date information about their natural gas consumption and to regulate their energy use. As soon as possible after the submission of that report, the Commission shall, where appropriate, adopt legislative proposals.