ZAGREB, Oct 12 (Hina) - Chief state inspector Branko Jordanic has told Hina he is extremely satisfied with the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, which came into force a little over a month ago.
ZAGREB, Oct 12 (Hina) - Chief state inspector Branko Jordanic has
told Hina he is extremely satisfied with the implementation of the
Consumer Protection Act, which came into force a little over a month
ago. #L#
Initially, the media focused on a minor problem -- whether carrier
bags bearing a logo should be free of charge or not.
Consumer associations, on the other hand, said the main problem was
the fact that towns and municipalities had not set up advisory
bodies and public companies had not established commissions for
citizens' complaints which must include, among others,
representatives of consumer associations who voice their opinions
on prices and quality.
Now, a month later, the advisory bodies and citizens' complaints
commissions have been or are being founded, but the process is
slow.
The State Inspectorate has requested launching magistrate court
proceedings against 73 shopkeepers who have not established the
commissions, an offence entailing fines ranging from 10,000 to
50,000 kuna.
Jordanic says the problem lies in the fact that the entire consumer
protection system is still defective due to the disorganisation of
consumer protection associations.
He maintains their demand that their representatives who are on
commissions and advisory bodies should be compensated "is
ridiculous".
According to Vesna Brcic-Stipicevic, president of the Croatian
Consumer Protection Association, the problem is that the law does
not envisage such compensation, yet people from Zagreb are forced
to travel to neighbouring towns at their own expense.
She adds, however, that the most important goal of the Consumer
Protection Act has been achieved -- to interest citizens in
becoming active participants.
Jadranka Kolarevic, president of the association Potrosac
(Consumer), says that consumer associations are satisfied with how
the Act has been applied so far since drastic changes could not have
been expected.
The Act is very complex and consumer protection is just starting to
come to life, she says, estimating it will take about a year for the
system to become established. She stresses, however, that unless
funding is secured it will be difficult to enforce the Act.
Kolarevic says advisory bodies have or are being set up in 60 of 500
towns and municipalities. Pula, Osijek, Koprivnica, and Zadar were
the first to do so.
She maintains Croatia needs a mental transition, i.e. consumers to
become more active for their benefit.
The Croatian Consumer Protection Association is dissatisfied with
the interpretation of the legal provision concerning the
displaying of the price on each item. Brcic-Stipicevic says the
provision has been scrapped and that information points are being
introduced at which customers will be able to scan the price.
Jordanic, however, says the provision has not been abandoned and
that the price must be clearly visible on the shelf containing
products. He adds one cannot expect every single item to have the
price stuck on it.
(hina) ha