ANPC announces new rules for traders / Consumers will receive information about warranties, repairs and environmental impact

New rules on commercial practices and consumer rights have entered into force, the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) announced. The amendments concern Law No. 363/2007 and Government Emergency Ordinance No. 34/2014, requiring traders to provide additional information about warranties, software updates, product repairs and the availability of spare parts.

One of the main changes is the expansion of the list of commercial practices considered misleading and the introduction of prohibited practices concerning the environment, sustainability and repairability. Traders will not be allowed to use sustainability labels without certification, make general environmental protection claims that they cannot substantiate, or present an entire product as environmentally friendly when the characteristic applies only to one component.

Claims that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive environmental impact based on emissions offsetting are also covered. It is likewise prohibited to present legal obligations as distinctive advantages, promote a product as repairable when it cannot be repaired, or encourage the premature replacement of consumables.

Before purchase, consumers must be informed about the legal guarantee of conformity, commercial warranties, software updates, after-sales services, the possibility of repair, the availability and estimated cost of spare parts, as well as environmentally friendly delivery options. The new rules also introduce a harmonized notice on the legal guarantee and a harmonized label for the commercial durability guarantee.