Regulations introducing new obligations to inform customers about reductions of prices for goods and services came into effect on 1 January 2023.
Back in January 2023, the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) inspected 40 e-commerce businesses to see if they follow the new guidelines. UOKiK found a number of irregularities, including, e.g. failure to present the lowest price for goods or services applicable in the last 30 days before the price reduction, or presenting prices in a manner that mislead customers. UOKiK announced that it will continue its inspections.
At the beginning of May 2023, UOKiK published detailed guidelines on how, in its opinion, the new provisions should be interpreted. It is worth noting that the guidelines presented by UOKiK differ significantly from UOKiK’s initial approach in this respect.
UOKiK’s new guidelines on communicating price reductions are available here: https://uokik.gov.pl/download.php?plik=27128.
UOKiK has announced that further inspections will be carried out in the second half of 2023 to check whether businesses are following the new guidelines.
The Intellectual Property team at Bird & Bird’s Warsaw office closely monitors UOKiK’s activities on interpreting the provisions on communicating reduction of prices for goods and services. You are welcome to contact us on any aspect of e-commerce.