The aim of the new authority is to increase the efficiency of consumer protection – said the new leader, who also believes that it is important that the authority’s activities become more visible to the public and strengthen consumer confidence. They plan to achieve this with targeted campaigns, in the framework of which they will also visit schools.
They plan to well-functioning companies should receive positive certificationthereby encouraging businesses to adopt a consumer-friendly attitude. The regulatory background also becomes more transparent, for example in the management of supervision fees:
the fees previously collected by the NÉBIH will be transferred to NAV, but the amount of the fees will not change.
The Consumer Protection Authority determined 38 investigation topics this year, this in 2025 increases to 50. Its priority aspects include incoming consumer complaints and problems affecting a wide range of consumers, traditionally repeated, highly important investigations, newly emerging, unexpected problems, as well as reports from government offices, NGOs or conciliation bodies – said Bence Gerlaki, from Nemzetgazdasági Deputy State Secretary responsible for economic development strategy and investment, consumer protection and trade.
The topics for 2025 can be divided into four main groups:
- priority investigations from a governmental point of view (17),
- basic tests (17),
- seasonal tests (7),
- and innovative, international or self-developed tests (9).
During the year, in justified cases, the minister can order an extraordinary investigation.
Can Temut be sanctioned as well?
The handling of problems related to Temu and other similar Chinese webshops is a priority issue for the Hungarian government. According to the plans, not only manufacturers and distributors, but also the platforms themselves may be subject to sanctions. As part of consumer protection, tools such as test purchases and regular monitoring are used to uncover possible irregularities.
If a report is received, the government office will launch an investigation and, if necessary, can impose a severe fine through the courts. The problem does not only affect Hungary, the country also actively participates in EU-level actions to find more effective solutions. said Krisztina Csákiné Gyuris, head of department at the ministry.
Bence Gerlaki added that in the toolbox of the authority
it even includes making Temu unavailable, which is done in the event that a wide range of consumers are affected by the revealed complaints.
The cover image is an illustration. Cover image source: Getty Images
Source: www.portfolio.hu
