CPC's Balance Sheet: 14,535 Inspections in One Year
Following a one-year period of mandatory dual pricing in levs and euros (August 8, 2025 – August 8, 2026), the Commission for Consumer Protection (CPC) has reported the results of its stepped-up oversight. Inspectors carried out 14,535 inspections across the country, covering physical retail outlets, tourist destinations, and online stores.
The penalties imposed for violations amount to 1.31 million euros, with the most common lapses being related to incorrect currency conversion, different font sizes, or the lack of clear currency labeling.
What changes from August 9, 2026?
- Abolition of dual pricing: Sales prices must now be displayed exclusively in euros.
- Voluntary indication: Merchants may leave the lev equivalent for informational purposes only, but they must explicitly state that the euro is the only payable currency.
- Continuing oversight: Despite the end of mandatory dual labeling, the CPC will continue strict monitoring against economically unjustified price increases until August 2027.
What do merchants need to know?
When investigated for unjustified price hikes, the merchant is obliged to prove a direct link between the price and objective factors – costs for energy, labor, raw materials, or changes in the tax burden. Violators face serious fines reaching up to 100,000 euros for each individual offense.
The public price portal is also undergoing changes – it will now feature data on wholesale prices and the fair value of goods, and large retailers with a turnover exceeding 25 million euros are required to submit daily information.