Consumer law.
Consumer law
The importance of consumer law in resolving alleged competition problems has increased considerably. The concept of “consumer empowerment” is playing an increasingly important role in the ACM’s work of regulating corporate behaviour. The ACM monitors compliance with the legislation and regulations in the field of consumer law.
We advice businesses on matters such as:
- unfair trading practices business-to-consumer
- e-commerce rules
Unfair trading practices
Consumers are protected against businesses applying unfair trading practices. The ACM is monitoring such behavior and can impose substantial fines in case of violation of the laws.
Unfair trading practices may include:
- misleading advertisements
- advertising products that are not available (“teasers”)
- wrongly claiming to comply with a code of practice or certification scheme
- fake discounts
- stating prices without mentioning all the additional costs
- omitting information on important product features
- acquiring new customers in an aggressive manner
- claiming a product to be “free” although costs are involved
E-commerce
Consumers are increasingly buying goods and services on the Internet, but also by phone or using order forms, for example from a catalogue. In the case of distance selling there is no direct contact as in bricks-and-mortar stores. Distance selling is therefore subject to additional rules. There are specific information requirements that an enterprise must comply with.
Webshops are subject to additional consumer protection rules. There are also specific rules for distance supply of energy, distance selling of digital content (music, games or software), and telemarketing.