Cyprus marks world consumer day with new transparency measures

Cyprus’ consumer protection service marked World Consumer Day on March 15 by setting out new steps aimed at improving transparency, prevention and consumer safety, while stressing the need for fair treatment across the market.

In a statement, the service said consumer protection is taking on a new dimension as the challenges of the digital age grow, making it necessary to continually adapt market supervision tools to safeguard transparency, product safety and protection against misleading or unfair practices.

Against this effort, the service said it is moving ahead with a digital platform to disclose dangerous and non-compliant products, designed to provide the public with immediate and reliable information.

At the same time, it said it is upgrading the petroleum price monitoring system, making greater use of modern technological tools and data analysis methods, and further expanding the e-kalathi platform by increasing the number of products listed and strengthening its functions.

It said these measures form part of a broader drive to modernise market surveillance mechanisms, so that consumers have faster and better access to information, as well as greater security in their day-to-day purchases.

The service also urged consumers to stay informed about their rights, remain especially cautious when shopping online, and make use of the tools already available to them.

An informed consumer, it added, is one of the strongest safeguards for a market that operates with transparency, safety and fair rules for the benefit of all.