NEW ORGANIZATION FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION IN BULGARIA

A new non-government organisation – National Organisation “Consumer Protection” (NOCP) – will start working to protect consumers from unfair commercial practices.

The association will work to achieve loyal and fair trading in all areas of the economy and will support the relations between traders and consumers, the management of NOCP said. They have specified that NOCP will be in assistance of the state authorities such as the Commission for Consumer Protection and the Commission for Protection of Competition, which currently are not sufficiently effective.

The protection of consumers will be carried out by the means of mediation and if this does not work, through court procedures.

The NGO will propose changes to the legislation to make the existing conciliation commissions an effective method for resolving disputes between consumers and traders. Other proposals will include legislative changes which aim to improve the structure of the existing controlling authorities.

The organization will be financed by the budget, European funds - through implementation of projects and membership fees, said Stoil Alipiev, chairperson of NOCP.

There are plans for development of publicly available register of fair traders, the enrolment in which will be voluntary and for a certain fee.