Consumer protection

The Trade Ministry has received an award for its refurbished product system, introduced in 2020 to prevent waste and environmental harm, in the Consumer Protection Contest run by the World Bank and the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN).

Changes are underway in Bulgaria as amendments to the Law on Consumer Protection aim to tighten regulations in online trade, aligning with directives and regulations from the European Parliament.

Bulgaria is poised to implement significant changes to its Consumer Protection Act, aligning with EU Directive (EU) 2020/1828 to empower consumers in collective legal actions against merchants. Under the proposed amendments, not only consumer associations but also the Consumer Protection Commission and designated qualified organizations can file representative claims for damages.

Up to BGN 5,000 fine for incorrect conversion and rounding of prices from BGN to EUR
A transition period and special conditions protect consumer rights

Mobile users will now have the right to cancel their contracts with mobile operators without incurring any penalties if inflation indexation is announced.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis referred on Monday to the issue of consumer protection, saying "consistent with what we have said and what the prime minister has personally committed to, compliance with legality in all fields and consumer protection are issues of the highest priority for the government. It is a continuous process and no exception will be made to it.

Brussels – A resilient and competitive internal market will be a major priority of Slovenia’s EU presidency, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek told EU ministers in charge of consumer protection at an informal videoconference yesterday.

Complaints to consumer protection authorities point to a major increase in the number of people disgruntled with the delays in courier deliveries, a trend recorded on social media since the first lockdown.

Consumers are increasingly sensitive about their rights, Dimitar Margaritov, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), told BNR. Consumer legislation in Bulgaria is good, however, in certain sectors it is catching up with real life, he commented, giving an example of claims for defective goods within the warranty period.

General Secretary for Commerce and Consumer Protection Panos Stampoulidis has announced the launch of a permanent mechanism to monitor the stocks of a series of products in Greek stores and the online version of the 1520 consumer hotline, as well as the upgrading of the e-Katanalotis supermarket price comparison app.