- The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is monitoring whether there may be violations of the provisions of the Act on Competition and Consumer Protection in the areas affected by flooding.
- First of all, whether there is no price collusion or abuse of a dominant position, which would result, for example, in an increase in the prices of basic necessities or building materials necessary for the renovation and reconstruction of flooded buildings.
- During the proceedings, the Trade Inspection will dynamically respond to signals from the market indicating a possible violation of the law by entrepreneurs.
The effects of the flood are being felt by many thousands of people affected by it. The tragedy of the victims may create a temptation to take advantage of this situation, for example by increasing the price of goods or services.
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The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, within the scope of his competences, will verify whether there has been an increase in prices and whether they could have been the result of market collusion or the exploitation of a dominant position by market tycoons.
The desire to enrich oneself on the tragedy of people affected by the flood is something shocking and unacceptable. We do not want to make it difficult for entrepreneurs fighting the flood and its effects, but we will respond to any attempts to break the law and take advantage of the situation by dishonest entrepreneurs. Currently, the market needs empathy and solidarity above all, we cannot take advantage of the difficult situation of flood victims. In accordance with our competences, we will take decisive action wherever abuses may occur, paying particular attention to the shaping of prices of goods and services provided – says the president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, Tomasz Chróstny.
According to the law, agreements between entrepreneurs aimed at establishing prices for goods or services are prohibited. An unlawful practice is also the exploitation of market position by entrepreneurs with a dominant position in a given market.
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Restricting competition is punishable by a financial penalty of up to 10 percent of the entrepreneur's turnover.
We encourage all those who suspect such practices in flood-affected areas to contact the UOKiK. In the case of suspicions of anti-competitive practices, please contact us at [email protected] and tel. no. 22 55 60 560. Irregularities can also be reported to the Voivodeship Inspectorates of the Trade Inspection – emphasizes the President of the UOKiK.
Regardless of the proceedings conducted by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, also without prior notification of the entrepreneurs about the inspection, the Trade Inspection subordinate to the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection will take action. Inspectors will respond to signals from the market and control entrepreneurs acting illegally.
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The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection together with the Trade Inspection Authority begins inspections in flood-affected areas
Today, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection met with the heads of the Voivodeship Inspectorates of the Trade Inspection from south-western Poland, where the scope of the inspection was discussed in detail. We ask consumers to report irregularities directly to the Voivodeship Inspectorates as well.
The residents of the flood-affected areas have found themselves in a very difficult situation. That is why I appeal to entrepreneurs to act honestly and not to exploit this tragedy. Business must show solidarity and responsibility, especially the largest market participants – says the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz Chróstny.
Source: Office of Competition and Consumer Protection