With 32 votes in favor, the Plenary approved on Friday the bill for the operation of the electronic platform e-kalathi and for the regulation of the process of collecting and recording the retail prices of specific consumer products by the Consumer Protection Service, as well as the process of providing the consumer continuous information on the prices of the relevant goods.
Based on the n/s and the amendments that have been made, the minimum annual turnover of businesses increases, the realization of which determines whether the hypermarket is obliged to submit product sales prices on the electronic platform, from €2 million to €5 million and the definition of the term “product code” is added to clarify that the comparison will be made based on this.
Also, the phrase “excluding promotions” was deleted from the definition of the term “unit sales price”, so that it would be possible to submit to the electronic platform the unit sales prices after the application of any discounts, and a corresponding deletion of the aforementioned phrase from the relevant provision with which provides for the obligation of the affected businesses to submit to the electronic platform the sales price as indicated on the product or its packaging or on the shelves of the company where the product is placed, so that the sales prices submitted include any reduced prices due to valid promotions actions.
Provisions were also added to the law to make it possible to file a hierarchical appeal before the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry against a decision of the competent authority to impose an administrative fine.
Placements of Members of Parliament
AKEL MP Costas Costasaid that the creation of e-kalathi will not beat accuracy, profiteering and inflation, but this implementation promotes transparency and the interests of consumers.
He said that after many hours of discussions, adjustments and variations were introduced, following suggestions from all interested parties. He also said that if there are gaps, the Parliament is here to examine them and assured that the main consideration is the interest of consumers.
DIKO Member of Parliament Chrysis Pantelidis said that the debate highlighted the problems faced by the industry and added that e-kalathi is a tool for transparency and consumer protection.
Environmental Member of Parliament Stavros Papadouris said the measure helps consumers track and compare prices. He welcomed the regulations that were introduced and the changes, he wished that people would benefit and if this proves to be the case, that the measure will be extended to fruit shops, bakeries and kiosks. of consumers in the direction of transparency and fair competition and reminded that the aim of the Minister of Commerce was to start as soon as possible and this was achieved.
