The new Law on Consumer Protection entered into force on Thursday, 28 of November, and the results of its implementations and benefits regarding the domain of consumers’ rights protection will be prone to analysis only in the upcoming period. It is necessary for a certain period of time of the implementation of the law to pass in order for right conclusions to be drawn about progress made in a certain field.

Considering that the “Black Friday” trend is associated with the last Friday in the month of November, therefore not long before the entering into force of the aforementioned law, the Market Inspection conducted inspections of commercial facilities in the second half of the last week. Likewise, we have to keep in mind that the Law left a transitional deadline of six months since the day of entering into force, during which the traders are obliged to adjust their work activities in accordance with this law.

In 80 conducted inspections, 13 cases had contained determined omissions, their removal was ordered and 11 minor offence orders worth BAM 7.000 were issued. As a rule, the most common irregularities related to the issuance of invoices, expiration of prices, keeping track of business books and records.

Furthermore, inspectors pointed out to traders that a new law has entered into force during their inspections and that the traders are obliged to timely adjust their work in accordance with the law. Based on the information received, we can say that the traders are now familiar with the changes of the law, and it is expected of them to fulfil their obligations without the need for inspectors to take repressive action.

The goal of the inspection surveillance is not primarily to fine businesses, but to adjust the work of traders with the regulations, and to ensure respect of consumers’ rights guaranteed by the law.