Month: December 2014

(Final report of inspection action of 2014)(Prague, December 22, 2014) The objective of the inspection action carried by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority was to check how consumers are informed about offered goods and whether sellers comply with generally binding legal regulations determined for the respective type of trade. “Inspectors detected shortcomings concerning more than a half of inspected workplaces. Vendors breached information obligations stemming from the Act on Consumer Protection as well as shortcomings concerning obligatory ...

(Monitoring of fuel quality in November 2014) (Prague, December 19, 2014) In November, CTIA inspectors detected in total 9 poor quality samples of gasoline, diesel, LPG for engine as well as FAME. Most serious violation of quality, excessive content of sulphur, was again detected in 2 samples of LPG for engine. Deviations detected in other 6 samples of petrol, diesel fuel and FAME were evaluated as less serious. CTIA inspectors prohibited selling of 5,733 litres of poor quality samples in the total value of 166,008.50 CZK. Samples of fuels will...

(Partial report of 3rd quarter of 2014)(Prague, December 18, 2014) Various non-banking entities try to attract consumers by offering mediation or provision of credit in terms of so called “favourable” contract terms and conditions not only before Christmas. They often achieve their goal due to low financial literacy of consumers. A consumer in financial need often signs a contract on consumer credit with very unfavourable conditions. Within their inspections CTIA officers checked whether consumers are provided with all obligatory information ne...

(Partial report of 3rd quarter 2014) (Prague, December 15, 2014) CTIA surveillance concerning toys continued in the 3rd quarter of 2014. Almost 300 inspections dealt with both fulfilment of information obligations stipulated in the Act on technical Requirements for Products and applicable implementing regulations, and safety of particular types of toys that were collected most frequently based on consumers’ notifications. “Inspection results are not very encouraging for consumers. Our inspectors found out that up to 60% of distributors don’t ca...

(Prague, December 11, 2014) The Czech Trade Inspection Authority warns consumers against a dangerous toy detected by inspectors from Western Bohemia which could also be offered in the Christmas market. Set of plastic musical instruments is attractive for children not only due to it colours, but also its tones. However, especially the included flute poses risk to small users due to its mouthpiece which can easily be separated and fits into test tube for small parts. This means that when playing and putting the flute into their mouth, children ar...

(Partial report of 3rd quarter of 2014)(Prague, December 8, 2014) How to recognize a fair and safe e-shop? This is the question that CTIA employees are asked most frequently. Despite there is no universal advice, there are several principles to follow – consumers should be interested not only in the price, but also in information provided by the vendor about himself as well as business terms and conditions, including payment methods and date of delivery. Inspection results of e-commerce of the 3rd quarter proved that such recommendations are im...

(Ostrava, November 27, 2014) The Stodolní Street still belongs among attractive locations for both locals and visitors of the city of Ostrava. Officers of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority belong among irregular, but the more unwelcome guests. “We carried out an extraordinary action and inspected 18 restaurants, bars and clubs at the Stodolní Street and its surroundings in the evening and at night. We found fair sellers only in a quarter of cases. With regard to the bad results and the upcoming end of the year we will repeat these inspection...

(Partial report of 3rd quarter of 2014)(Prague, December 3, 2014) In the 3rd quarter of 2014, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority focused on sellers that deliver solid fuels to consumers before the start of the winter season. Based on previous finding that consumers are most frequently damaged concerning their rights by suppliers who deliver less fuel for full price, inspections were mostly aimed at fairness of selling. This year’s inspections proved again that half of detected shortcomings consisted of failure to provide declared weight of de...

(Partial report of 3rd quarter of 2015)(Prague, December 1, 2014) Consumers have much to choose from in the Czech market with footwear – there is a variety of shoes from cheap products originating in Asia to branded shoes of both national and international origin. The same variety can be seen concerning prices – from several hundreds to tens of thousands of Czech crowns paid for footwear by globally known designers and brands. However, not all shoes meet elementary requirements for marking and not all vendors comply with obligations stipulated ...