GEO
March 15 is marked on the world calendar as World Consumer Rights Day, within the frame of which the opening event of the first International Week on the Protection of Consumer Rights was held in Georgia, organized by the Georgian National Competition Agency, the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission, the Communication Commission, the National Bank of Georgia, the Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia and the National Food Agency.
Within the frame of the event, the regulatory bodies discussed the reforms implemented in the direction of consumer rights protection, the obtained results, existing challenges and enforcement mechanisms. In Georgia, consumer rights are protected by various regulatory bodies in their own sectors - in the banking and financial sector - the National Bank of Georgia, in the energy sector - the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission, in the communications sector - the Communications Commission, in the insurance sector - Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia. In all other sectors, the protection of consumers’ rights is implemented by the National Competition Agency.
"In 2022, the Parliament of Georgia adopted the Law of Georgia on the Protection of Consumer Rights, and the Competition Agency was defined as the executive Agency, and we started the enforcement process from November 1. The National Competition Agency has received up to 180 applications, and a case study has been started on 90 applications. The 23 commitment agreement was signed in favor of the consumer during this period, this means the traders have made a commitment - to change its internal policy and to restore the rights of those consumers who allegedly suffered damages due to the trader’s policy in the past. The Agency is actively monitoring the process of fulfillment of obligations taken by the companies. At this time, the issue regarding the 3 cases is completely exhausted.
It is very important for us, that the consumer has the opportunity to make an informed choice, to know their rights, how to protect themselves, and if necessary, to whom to contact. For this purpose, today - March 15, on World Consumer Rights Day, we are holding the International Week on the Protection of Consumer Rights, organized by six regulatory bodies, and in a joint format we will discuss the results obtained and the challenges in the sector, the legislation is as balanced as possible and ensures both a high standard of consumer protection and business interests. The legislation was adopted taking into account the best European practices" - said the Chairman of the Georgian National Competition Agency, Irakli Lekvinadze, at the opening event of the week and congratulated the invited guests on the World Consumer Rights Day.
The closing event of the week will be held on March 17, in Batumi, where the regulatory bodies will meet with the local business sector and consumers.
