The purpose of this inspection event was to determine whether products sold to consumers are safe and whether they comply with applicable requirements and special legal regulations.

Between April 1^st and June 30^th 2009, inspectors of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, of the Středočeský Inspectorate and the capital city of Prague Inspectorate, performed 45 inspections. Shortcomings and deficiencies were discovered in 8 cases. The most frequent deficiency was failure to inform the consumer about the price of the product or service at the time of offering, as required by law. Further, the inspectors of the CTIA discovered that incorrect or unverified measuring instruments are being used, failure to mark products with the name of the importer, manufacturer, or not including this information in Czech language (only in foreign language), incorrect marking/labelling of the store or branch, as required by special legal regulations, not issuing pay receipt and distribution of products without the CE symbol. In one store inspectors discovered that alcohol is being sold without a warning label specifying that alcohol cannot be sold to persons below 18 years of age.

The Czech Trade Inspection Authority issued fine in the amount of CZK 1,000,- to one inspected subject and in other case, fine payable immediately, also in the amount of CZK 1,000,-. Business entity, which used unverified measuring instrument was ordered to stop using this measuring equipment until corrected. In 2 instances, the CTIA banned 54 products from sales, in the total value of CZK 6,358,- until applicable corrective measures are in place. In five cases the CTIA inspectors issued fines payable immediately, in the total amount of CZK 11,000,- and in two cases, the CTIA began applicable legal proceedings against the inspected subjects.

“Based on the inspection results, it is clear that business subjects operating in locations with high tourists turnover, violate legal regulations when selling goods or offering services”, said RNDr. Jana Příhodová, the General Director of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority. “We will continue with these inspections, in order to force businesses to conduct business correctly or to make sure that businesses will improve their way of doing business. Such inspections also serve as an effective preventive tool”, said Mrs. Příhodová.