Filenews 17 July 2023 - by Angelos Nicolaou
In order to strengthen the protection of consumer rights, the Consumer Protection Service has carried out, over the last 12 months, a successful campaign throughout Cyprus to inform businesses about the legal framework governing consumer rights.
After visits to around 50 businesses, the campaign's goal for 2022-2023 has been achieved, enabling even better protection of consumer interests.
These visits covered a wide range of businesses, from small and medium-sized retail outlets to large service companies and business associations.
The representatives of the Consumer Protection Service attended meetings with entrepreneurs and their staff, informing them through educational presentations about consumer rights and obligations arising from the legal framework.
During the trainings, the representatives of the Service presented in detail provisions of the relevant legislation such as the correct indication of the selling price, the right to guarantee for defective products, consumers' rights to shop online, while practices that are considered unfair and lead to misleading the consumer were also analyzed.
The response from businesses has been positive and demonstrates the readiness of the business sector to comply with the legal framework and protect consumers' interests.
Many businesses have shown interest in improving their customer service procedures to ensure compliance with the law.
The Director of the Consumer Protection Service, Mr. Konstantinos Karagiorgis stated to "F": "This campaign represents an important step towards a fair and balanced market, where consumers have the trust and protection they deserve.
We believe that the information we have given will have a positive impact on consumer protection, which is a crucial area for the economy and the well-being of our society.
Through this campaign we wanted to convey the message to businesses that consumer protection should be their main concern, as by protecting the consumer they protect the viability of their own business.
The purpose and mission of the Office is not to penalise businesses, but to protect the consumer, which can largely be achieved through prevention.
Our policy is that prevention is better than repression and in this context we move so that through information we prevent violations of the Law that harm the consumer, healthy competition and create an imbalance in the market.
Of course, in cases where, in order to fulfil the mission of the Service, sanctions are required, the Consumer Protection Service will not hesitate to apply the Law."
The Consumer Protection Service continues its efforts to enhance consumer information, providing advice and guidelines for the effective assertion of their rights, while the information campaign for businesses is expected to continue in September 2023.
For more information on consumer rights and the legal framework, consumers and businesses can contact the Consumer Protection Service on the free telephone line 1429 or visit www.consumer.gov.cy website.
