The national consumer protection programme for 2005 and 2006, which was adopted at the end of last year, envisages 2.2 million kuna for purposes of consumer protection, including the establishment of three advisory centres for consumers, which are to be established this year.
The priorities of the programme refer to the improvement of consumer protection with regard to public and health services, food safety and quality, education, access to information, environmental protection, financial services and banking, use of real estate, and tourist and catering services.
Vrankovic recalled that the ministry had recently adopted a decision obliging creditors to inform their clients about real annual interest rates before granting consumer loans. The decision will go into force in May.
Vrankovic also announced changes to the Law on Consumer Protection which are aimed at additionally adjusting the existing law to the relevant EU legislation.
A central information system for consumer protection is expected to be established by this summer.
An official from the ministry's department for consumer protection, Zeljka Lukacevic Subotic, said the most important problems that were noted during the implementation of the Law on Consumer Protection referred to public services (utilities) and telecommunications, as well as product declarations.
The Croatian Consumer Protection Association, which today held a news conference to mark International Consumer Day, urged marking all products containing genetically modified organisms.