In the direction of the protection of consumer rights, from November 1, 2022 to December 1, 2023, the National Competition Agency has received 509 applications and a case study has been started on 285 applications.
During the reporting period, the Competition Agency signed 83 commitment agreements in favor of the consumer on 123 cases. This means the traders have made an obligation - 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. The issue concerning 45 commitment agreements signed in 69 cases has recently been resolved.
Due to non-fulfillment of the obligation imposed by the Agency, 4 traders were fined in 15 cases. In 11 cases of confirmation of violation - in 8 cases, the obligations imposed by the agency have been fully fulfilled by the trader.
In the mentioned period, according to the Agency’s decision, the 50 facts of violations of the rights of the consumer group were confirmed -in 65 cases, and in 7 cases were not confirmed.
Due to non-fulfillment of the obligation imposed by the Agency, 9 traders were fined in 20 cases. At the time, the trader fulfilled all of the obligations imposed by the Agency in 9 out of the 12 confirmed violations.
63% of the applications received by the consumer refer to online trading, and 37% to the case of purchasing the item on the spot. According to regions, Tbilisi continues to lead with 85%, followed by Adjara with 6%, Imereti with 4% and Kakheti 2%.
According to the received applications, the repair or return of a defective item is 172, the demand for a refund is 150, the prohibition of misleading activities is 48, withdrawal from a contract without giving any reason is 26, 18 for items delivered within the specified time frame, and the rest is 95.
In the reporting period, according to the received applications, 65% is the wholesale and retail sector, transport and warehousing 16%, construction 5%, arts, entertainment and leisure 4%, and 10% other activities.
Any person has the right to apply to the National Competition Agency, shall be not later than 2 years after such violation. The Agency shall start the investigation of an alleged violation of consumer rights if there is information that the action of a particular person(s) violates or is likely to violate the rights of a group of consumers.
In the case of the confirmation of a violation, the Agency shall determine a period for a trader to restore the rights violated by it and/or to terminate the action prohibited by Law. For the failure to execute or for the improper execution of a decision of the Agency, the Agency shall impose a penalty on a trader. If, during a period of 12 months, a trader commits a violation repeatedly, he/she shall be subject to a penalty which is double the amount of the previously imposed penalty.
