Consumers have the right to receive adequate and correct information about the price of goods displayed for sale without the need to ask for assistance.
The indicated price must be the final selling price, including VAT and any other taxes or charges (e.g. delivery charges.)
5.1 Trader's Obligations
Traders who sell goods to consumers on a retail basis have the following obligations:
Display clearly the price of the goods for sale;
Exhibit plainly in their place of business a sample of every kind, size, type, or brand of goods stocked with a label showing the price;
Show prices in Euro currency;
When there is more than one item of the same kind, size, type, or brand of the same goods, it is sufficient to show the price on just one of these items;
Goods displayed in shop windows must also be indicated with the final selling price.
During ‘Sales’, items should include the original price, the discount percentage and the final selling price.
5.1.1 Products sold per unit weight or value
Two prices must be indicated on goods that are sold by unit weight or volume:
The actual price, which is the price for a given quantity of the item;
The unit price, which is the final price of one kilogram, one litre, one metre, one square metre or one cubic metre of the goods.
The unit price may be indicated in a smaller form than the actual price, but it must still be clear and readable.
Unit prices enable consumers to compare prices easily as they compare the cost of 1 kilo or 1 litre of similar products.
Unit pricing only applies to retail outlets with an area of more than 200 square metres and for goods with a content of more than 50 grams or 50 millilitres.
5.1.2 Pre-packed products
Traders who sell pre-packed goods, including food items, must show both the selling price and the price per unit of the product.
The price per unit of pre-packaged solid food products presented in liquid medium shall refer to the weight of the solid food without the liquid in which it is contained.
When a unit price is given regarding the net weight of such products, it should be made clear which unit price refers to the net drained weight and which to the overall net weight of the product.
5.1.3 Exemptions
Sellers are not legally obliged to indicate prices in the following situations:
goods are supplied for re-selling;
goods are provided in the course of service;
goods sold at an auction or sale of works of art or antiques;
advertisement of goods, unless sellers willingly decide to indicate a price in which case they must indicate the final price clearly.
5.1.4 Non-compliance with regulations
Non-compliance with these regulations amounts to an offence.
Any person who is found guilty is liable:
to a fine of not less than €116.47 and not more than €1,164.69 in the case of a first conviction,
in the case of a second or multiple convictions, besides the fine, sellers may have their trading license suspended for a week. The court may also order the publication of the judgement passed on to the offender in one or more daily newspapers.
Traders are also responsible for any infringements made by persons in their employment.
