‘Consumer protection’ fine of 142.3 million TL from the Ministry of Commerce

The Ministry of Commerce imposed an administrative fine of 216 million 494 thousand 580 liras as a result of the inspections carried out in the field of consumer protection in 2022, and 142 million 282 thousand 296 liras as of August 15 of this year.

According to the Ministry’s statement, as a result of inspections regarding contracts in which consumers are parties within the scope of the Consumer Defense Law, distance contracts, subscription contracts, contracts established outside the workplace, prepaid (model) sale of homes, timeshare vacations, tourist packages, banking services, unfair Administrative sanctions are imposed on companies that affect the economic interests of consumers in matters such as conditions, guarantee certificate and after-sales services.

In this context, 268 companies were inspected in 2022 and an administrative fine of 157 million 173 thousand 605 liras was imposed on 107 companies whose violations were detected. This year, as of August 15, 75 companies were inspected and 69 companies whose illegal activities were determined were fined 67 million 62 thousand 267 lira.

PRICE TAG CHECKS

1 million 216 thousand 164 product labels in 63 thousand 3 companies were inspected in 2022 during the price label inspections carried out regarding the differences between the box price and the label price of goods offered to consumers and aspects mandatory to be included on the label An administrative fine of 11 million 918 thousand 561 lire was imposed on 23 thousand 536 products to 13 thousand 978 companies that violated the rules.

Giving greater weight to such inspections this year, 767,494 products were inspected in 31,130 companies as of August 15, and 11,371 companies were fined 19,98,807 lira for 19,559 products found in violation.

AUDIT OF ADVERTISING BOARDS

The only administrative authority authorized to supervise advertising and unfair commercial practices in all digital (internet, social networks and similar) and traditional media (television, radio, press, etc.) The Advertising Board controls misleading advertising and commercial practices disloyal

In this context, in 2022, 21,199 files were resolved and an administrative fine of 42,329,745 liras was imposed. As of August 15 of this year, 11,879 files were ruled and an administrative fine of 51,909,874 liras was imposed.

PRODUCT SAFETY AUDIT

Market surveillance and inspection activities continue with the principle of “zero tolerance for unsafe products” in order to safely supply consumer products such as textiles, shoes, toys, stationery and detergents, which are in charge of the Ministry.

During inspections, packaging and labeling controls, as well as chemical, physical and mechanical tests of products that are found to be unsafe, their placing on the market is prohibited, administrative fines are collected and imposed on the corresponding parties. In addition, unsafe products and their manufacturers are shared with consumers at the address “www.guvensizurun.ticaret.gov.tr”.

In 2022, an administrative fine of 5 million 72 thousand 668 liras was imposed on 47 companies whose products were found to be unsafe, through inspection of 910 companies in 2022, and the supply of these products to the market was prohibited. This year, as of July 31, 1,249 companies were inspected and 9 companies were fined 4,211,348 lira, and these products were prevented from reaching consumers.

According to the statement, as a result of the inspections carried out in the field of consumer protection in 2022, an administrative fine of 216 million 494 thousand 580 lira and 142 million 282 thousand 296 lira was imposed as of August 15 of this year. (AA)