Fines of up to 2.4 million lei given by ANPC

The commissioners of the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) received over 1 000 complaints in the first semester of this year.

They focused on the products purchased in supermarkets and hypermarkets, according to the statement Constantin Cerbulescu, the ANPC chairman, gave on Tuesday during a press conference.

The given fines were worth over 2.4 million lei and the violations regarded the lack of consumer information and displayed prices and unfair trade practices.

Constantin Cerbulescu pointed out that most complaints were aimed at different product promotional sales.

"These promotions did nothing but create the false impression that the product was offered for free or at a much lower price, but when our inspectors checked these cases they found out that, taken separately, these products were much cheaper per unit than sold together."

"These situations did nothing but mislead the consumer. There were also similar situations in which the consumer was charged a price that was different from the one on the shelf label", Constantin Cerbulescu stated.

Constantin Cerbulescu also highlighted that since 17 November the trade of cigarettes with reduced ignition tendency shall become compulsory.

These are cigarettes that self-extinguish if not actively smoked.

The sanctions for violations will be applied to both producers and distributors.

Translated by: Iulia Florescu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University