The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has completed a further series of unannounced inspections of retail businesses across Ireland as part of its ongoing compliance and enforcement activities.
The inspections, some of which were driven by complaints to the CCPC’s National Consumer Helpline, are part of the Commission’s work to ensure businesses comply with consumer protection law and allow consumers to shop with confidence.
A total of 80 inspections were carried out across six counties, covering a broad range of sectors, including gift shops, pubs, cafés, supermarkets, clothing retailers, jewellers, hairdressers and petrol stations.
Officers also placed particular focus on key tourist locations ahead of the peak summer season, ensuring clear and transparent pricing and fair commercial practices.
During the inspections, CCPC officers found strong levels of compliance among many retailers.
However, a number of potential breaches of consumer law were identified, including inaccurate or inadequate price displays, failures to display notices about hallmarking, and misleading commercial practices.
14 inspections took place across Dublin city and county, including popular tourist areas such as Temple Bar.
In Kilkenny city, 16 inspections were conducted, while 13 inspections took place across Galway city and county.
In Kerry, the CCPC carried out 16 inspections, primarily in Dingle and Kenmare, while 21 inspections were undertaken across Wexford and Waterford including Tramore.
Where breaches of the law are found, businesses are required to take corrective action, and our enforcement teams work closely with them to help ensure compliance. Further inspections will be carried out and where continued breaches of the law are found, enforcement action may follow, up to and including prosecution.
Brian McHugh, Chairperson of the CCPC, said:
“Every year the CCPC carries out hundreds of inspections to encourage, monitor and enforce compliance with consumer protection law, and overall we continue to see significant improvements in compliance levels. These nationwide inspections play a crucial role in driving compliance, deterring unlawful practices and protecting consumer welfare.
“The CCPC will continue to support and engage with businesses to support compliance, but where necessary we can and will take enforcement action against traders who continue to deliberately deceive consumers.
“We look forward to the introduction of direct fining powers for the CCPC – the ability to issue significant fines will be an essential addition to our enforcement toolkit.”
Traders were selected based on location, sector and, in some cases, complaints to the CCPC’s national consumer helpline.
The CCPC receives over 40,000 contacts to its helpline each year and all are screened for concerning trends and patterns.
Complaints are a valuable source of information as they help identify and target sectors where consumers may be at risk.
Consumers who suspect a trader has breached consumer law are encouraged to report their concerns to the CCPC by phoning our National Consumer Helpline on 01 402 5555 or emailing ask@ccpc.ie.
For information on consumer rights when buying goods, visit Shopping – CCPC Consumers.