Filenews 28 February 2025- by Angelos Angelodimou
The official gazette of the Republic published today the decree issued by the Minister of Commerce, setting a ceiling on the price of water. According to the decree, the ceiling is set at 60 cents and concerns: Bottled water in a package of 500 ml inside and outside the refrigerator, as well as drinking water, including bottled in a glass, of a corresponding quantity of 500 ml.
The decree includes 10 points of sale, to which maximum selling prices should apply. These are airports, ports, sports venues, beaches, archaeological sites, museums, cinemas, theaters, theme parks and hospitals.
It is recalled that the relevant legislation was voted by the Plenary of the Parliament in early February. The legislation gives the power to the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry by decree to set the maximum retail prices of water from companies operating in specific points of sale, where by object sufficient competition cannot develop. The products concern bottled water in a 500ml package, bottled water in a 750ml package, drinking water in a 500ml glass and/or drinking water in a 750ml glass and the obligation concerns specific points of sale.
The law clarifies the provision that provides that the maximum selling price applies only to standing consumers and provides that it does not apply to seated consumers to whom services are offered (orders for serving by waiters). The legislation passed also increased the maximum prison sentence and fine that may be imposed by a court on a person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of the law or a provision of regulations or decrees issued pursuant thereto from one to two years and from €5,000 to €15,000, respectively. so that the maximum penalty that the court may impose is not less than the maximum administrative fine that the director of the Consumer Protection Service may impose.
