Over the past four years, consumer protection has undergone a profound change. One of the proofs confirming this is the fact that the protection of consumer rights has been incorporated into the basic law of Hungary, Minister of State for Economic Regulation Kristóf Szatmáry said at a press conference in Budapest.

The Minister of State said that the Assembly adopted a significant amendment of the consumer protection act in autumn last year, the provisions of which enter into force as of January this year. One key element of the modification has been the improvement of the situation of vulnerable consumer groups, he added. He pointed out that as of 13 January help desk agents at the call centres of public utility service providers shall answer calls within five minutes. Service providers that fail to adhere to this provision can expect to be levied a fine of several millions of forints. “We spare agitation for tens or hundreds of thousands of Hungarian citizens,” he said.

DownloadThe Minister of State emphasised that the establishment of an institutional system of consumer protection run by the state constituted the most significant part of the change.

The Government is determined to complete a round of utility tariff cuts and it also forbade public utility service providers to charge an extra fee for paying through postal payment order or for presenting a paper invoice. As of 13 January, service points will be opened at the county offices of the consumer protection institution, and thus customers may get more information. On the basis of the new regulation, the consumer protection agency may impose a fine already for the first instance of the breach of law, in case – for example – the consumer rights of elderly or disabled people are violated.

DownloadKristóf Szatmáry also stressed that another provision effective as of January bans the founding of new consumer groups and those established prior to 1 January 2012 shall be registered at the consumer protection agency.

Responding to a question he said that the number of such groups can be only guessed and a concrete number will only be available in February. The amendment has aimed to have a complete overview of this field.

He also emphasised that as of January new provisions apply for product presentations, as for example these will have to be registered at the notary public of settlements.

DownloadThe amendment prescribing the employment of a consumer protection specialist for large retailers will, according to the calculation of ministry, be applicable to less than 100 companies which are not the subject of the SME act. These companies generate most of consumer complaints, therefore it is important for them to have a specialist with a direct link to authorities, he said.

Through the implementation of measures, the Government aims to enhance the awareness of Hungarian consumers who can thus become less vulnerable to large enterprises. It has been a good indicator of the success of consumer protection policy and improving consumer awareness that in Hungary more and more people turn to arbitration boards to settle disputes, Kristóf Szatmáry stated.

(Ministry for National Economy)