How Retailers Can Avoid Fines from the Consumer Protection Authority

The National Authority for Consumer Protection ("ANPC") imposed sanctions during Q1 2016 upon clothing retailers in Romania, in the aftermath of various inspections targeting compliance with marketing, advertising and labeling regulations. Most sanctions were applied by ANPC for non-compliance with the mandatory legal provisions on consumer protection. In some cases, ANPC ordered suspension of trading in those non-compliant products until legal compliance would be ensured. The inspections revealed: (i) non-compliant advertising of products; (ii) non-compliant labeling and marking of products (e.g. lack of fiber composition labels, lack of Romanian translation of the respective labels); and (iii) unlawfulness regarding operation (e.g. improperly displaying the name of the unit and working schedule or lack of the Trade Registry registration certificate of the company).