Oversight and accountability
News about public finance control, institutional oversight, audits, inspections, and transparency.
Leaders of the Consumer Protection Commission and the "Podkrepa" trade union promise joint actions for a smooth transition to the euro.
The Chairman of the Consumer Protection Commission Maria Filipova and the President of the trade union organization CITUB "Podkrepa" Dimitar Manolov agreed on close cooperation in the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria. The two will coordinate efforts to inform citizens and control the market during the transition.
IKEA recalls garlic presses due to risk of metal particles
The Consumer Protection Commission announces the recall of IKEA 365+ VÄRDEFULL, black garlic presses, with barcode 20152158 and batch numbers from 2411 to 2522 due to the risk of small metal particles separating, which could end up in food. Consumers are urged to stop using the product and return it to an IKEA store for a full refund.
The Consumer Protection Commission takes strict measures against speculation with the introduction of the euro.
The chairperson of the Consumer Protection Commission, Maria Filipova, announced a detailed plan to counteract any potential speculation in commercial establishments after the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria from January 1, 2026. The Commission will conduct inspections of high-risk establishments and impose fines of up to 50,000 leva for each violation.
The Registry Agency optimized its electronic services over the weekend.
The Agency for Entries will perform technical activities to improve information security and the quality of the offered electronic services. As a result, there will be temporary interruptions in the operation of the registers on June 14 and 15, 2025.
The business and the Consumer Protection Commission are joining efforts for a smooth transition to the euro in Bulgaria.
The Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria (BICA) and the Chairperson of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) Maria Filipova held a meeting to coordinate a national information campaign on the introduction of the euro in the country. The two organizations agreed to actively cooperate to reach all segments of businesses and consumers with timely and accessible information for the smooth transition to the new currency.
The protection of consumers during the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria - a guarantee of stable prices
The Chairman of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) guarantees that there will be no unjustified price increases during the transition to the euro. The CPC will work closely with other institutions to prevent any unfair market practices. Strict sanctions are envisaged against merchants who abuse the introduction of the single European currency.
Triple alliance for the protection of consumers and businesses with the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria
The National Revenue Agency (NRA), the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) and the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) signed an agreement for enhanced cooperation and coordination in order to prevent unjustified price increases during the transition to the euro. The institutions are joining efforts to monitor key commodity groups and impose strict sanctions against abuses.
French notification regarding defective pressure oil separator tanks
The State Agency for Metrological and Technical Supervision (DAMTN) received a notification from France regarding problematic pressure oil separators with the brand BWB-Behalter-WERK. It has been established that the welded seams of the products have defects, leading to a risk of cracks and injuries. However, the risk is assessed as low, as the products have a long lifespan and consumers can replace them free of charge until the end of 2032.
The European Commission announces a new product safety award in 2025.
The European Commission is launching the next edition of its Product Safety Award in 2025. The award aims to recognize innovative business initiatives and research that go beyond the legal requirements for consumer product safety in the EU. The winners will receive prestigious recognition and will improve their reputation in their respective sectors.
The State Agency for Metrological and Technical Supervision launches a campaign for safe children's toys.
In May 2025, the State Agency for Metrological and Technical Supervision (DAMTN) conducted inspections of children's toys in commercial establishments across the country. The inspectors found that more than half of the inspected products do not meet the safety and labeling requirements.
Regulatory authorities are checking fuel prices for potential violations
The Commission for Protection of Competition and the Commission for Consumer Protection are taking joint actions to establish possible abuses in the pricing of fuels by "Lukoil Neftochim Burgas" AD and "Lukoil Bulgaria" EOOD. A thorough inspection is forthcoming to determine whether the economic interests of consumers have been harmed.
The Commission for Consumer Protection warns traders of strict sanctions for violations of consumer rights.
The Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) warns all traders that violations of consumer rights, including misleading and applying unfair trade practices, will be sanctioned with the full rigor of the law. The CCP reports established cases of systematic charging of fees for packaging that was not requested, as well as misleading customers to pay higher prices.
The European Commission evaluates the effectiveness of the directives on public procurement and concessions
The European Commission published the results of a public consultation conducted to assess the implementation of the European directives in the field of public procurement and concessions. The consultation found that the directives have not achieved full flexibility and simplification of the system, but have contributed to a reduction in corruption and an increase in transparency. However, the rules for market access for non-EU companies and the promotion of environmental, social, and innovative solutions are still not sufficiently effective.
State inspectors check the safety of swimming pools before the summer season.
Inspectors from the State Agency for Metrological and Technical Supervision (SAMTS) will conduct inspections in June for the proper and safe operation of the elements of swimming pools, adjacent to accommodation facilities. The aim is to ensure the safety of users and to take measures in case of established violations.
The Ministry of e-Government facilitates the access of foreign workers to the Bulgarian labor market.
The Minister of Electronic Governance Valentin Mundrov announced that the new Platform for production and issuance of residence and work permits will simplify and accelerate the processes of hiring foreign employees in Bulgaria. The system will digitize the document flow and make the procedures faster, more transparent and secure.