Parliament: In the Plenary Session the bill for Consumer Protection

The bill of the Ministry of Development and Investment is being discussed and voted in the Plenary Session today, Wednesday, on the subject of the incorporation in the Greek legislation of improvements introduced in the EU law in the field of consumer protection.

With the bill:

• Rules are introduced to enhance transparency in discounts and offers and the institutional framework of sanctions in case of non-compliance of traders with their obligations regarding offers, discounts and the legal operation of stores on Sundays is tightened.
• The cases of deceptive acts and omissions are expanded and the “black list” of unfair commercial practices related to the digital market and the development of new digital tools is updated, which often create conditions of market opacity to the detriment of the consumer.
• In the event of an unfair commercial practice, the consumer has the right to request, in addition to the judicial cessation of any unfair commercial practice, its future omission and the restoration of the damage suffered, the reduction of the price or the termination of the contract.
• Modify the scope of consumer protection arrangements for distance and off-premises contracts, supplier information requirements for the consumer, as well as standard training requirements for distance contracts, out-of-store contracts and contracts. concluded in online markets.
• Arrangements are made for the exercise of the right of withdrawal and the rights and obligations of consumers.
• The obligations of informing the consumer by the supplier in contracts other than those concluded remotely or outside a commercial store are extended.
• The context of the administrative sanctions imposed in the event of a breach of consumer protection legislation is redefined.

In addition to the transposition of the Directive, the bill also introduces regulations for the drafting of a Code of Conduct, regarding companies that have the use of electronic games and other digital applications for free or for a fee to consumers in places where minors have access, and the possibility of enforcement. sanctions in case of violation.

Arrangements are also introduced for the licensing of manufacturing activities within the Holy Community of Mount Athos, for the operation of the secondary trade unions (federations) of the sellers of the popular markets and for the licenses of the sellers of the popular markets.

The parties

It is a draft law whose passage will have a direct impact on the daily lives of citizens and the protection of consumer rights, said ND rapporteur Vassilis Vassiliadis, who stressed that it is the country’s obligation to incorporate the Directive and implement the relevant provisions by 28 May 2022. The ND MP, after referring to the new rules and provisions for the strengthening of consumer rights and their safeguard against unfair commercial practices, stressed that “in the particularly difficult situation we are facing with the wave of accuracy and energy precariousness, any measure that protects consumers is crucial. “

SYRIZA rapporteur Haris Mamoulakis has stated that the Directive is moving in a positive direction but valuable time has been lost for its incorporation, while the other member states have incorporated it since the end of 2021, and consumers have been reaping benefits for months. Given the data on inflation in Greece, the bill could be the occasion for a wider package of regulations and provisions that would preserve part of the lost income of citizens. Mr. Mamoulakis called on the Minister of Development to take into account the comments of the bodies and to proceed with improvement modifications. As the representatives of the commercial world, during the hearing process from the committee, demanded the abolition of the intermediate discounts, Mr. Mamoulakis stressed that the government should consider this issue because in their implementation the intermediate discounts did not bring the expected benefits on the one hand and on the other hand. consumers.

“The provisions of the Directive can ensure the relationship between businesses and consumers by making them fairer and more transparent. And this, of course, will contribute to the smooth operation of the market “, said the special spokesman of PASOK Movement for Change Apostolos Panas, who, however, expressed individual objections to specific provisions of the bill and accused the government of refusing cooperation after PASOK Movement for Change has submitted proposals, aimed at the well-being of citizens, but which were not heeded. The MP referred to the price increases and the galloping accuracy, which test the endurance of the citizens, to notice that the government seems embarrassed and reluctant to ensure consumer protection, and to characterize the urgent need for effective controls of the existing legislation.

“The fig leaf”, for the issues of consumer protection, characterized the bill by the special speaker of the KKE, Manolis Syntyhakis, as due to the choices of the EU, they are constantly affected by the scandal and the unfair practices. “No matter how much the government makes provocative beautifications for what the people are experiencing, the daily survival of popular families on Golgotha ​​is another confirmation that there is an abyss that separates the needs of the people from the priorities of the economies of the few, business groups and the reactionary.” “All governments are served by the EU,” said Mr Syntyhakis, stressing that the government was trying to create the impression that the market economy increases in consumer goods and at the same time the government to adopt effective relief measures

“The scandal of the public sector should be fought first, apart from the scandal of the energy cartel,” said Vassilis Viliardos, the expert spokesman for the Hellenic Solution, and complained that it was a scandal for the public to increase taxes to absolute size due to the vertical prices. This is a pointless bill that is being tabled at a critical juncture, with the cartel profiteering in energy, being tabled at a time when citizens are being hit by 50% precision, which is also due to the government and its policies. , said Vassilis Viliardos, who underlined that the data on inflation prove its failed policy that even produces only debts. “What is missing in Greece is the control of the observance of the legislation and not to constantly pass meaningless bills”, said the special speaker of the Hellenic Solution who estimated that the aim of the bill is not the protection of consumers but the uniform legislation for its big business groups EU.

The fundamental issue is accuracy, said the special speaker of MERA25 George Logiadis, who stressed that there should be rules for “techno-feudalism” and technological giants that should be regulated and not act uncontrollably. “Are we talking about protection with such precision? “Part of the inflation comes from outside, but a large part of it is due to the suppressed energy stock market”, said Mr. Logiadis and stressed that the most crucial point is the disposable income. The MP of MERA25 demanded the abolition of the energy exchange and the “renationalization” of PPC. At the same time, he complained that the collective labor agreements have been dissolved and stressed that taxes and contributions remain counterproductive large to ensure primary surpluses.

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