The Independent Market Control and Consumer Protection Authority continues its market inspections, imposing fines for cases of unfair profiteering, misleading price reduction announcements, and distribution of counterfeit products. As part of these inspections, new administrative fines totaling €295,898 were imposed.
Independent Market Control Authority: Fines for exceeding gross profit margins
As reported by the Independent Market Control Authority, a fine of €78,958 was imposed for exceeding gross profit margins on Flora Food Single-Member LLC, in the butter products category, for exceeding the permitted gross profit margin on 6 product codes.
Additionally, a fine of €24,257 was imposed on a distribution company in the chocolate products category, as well as a fine of €16,433 on a dairy company. The identified violations concern the period from 13/03/2026 to 03/04/2026 and consist of exceeding the permitted profit margin, in violation of current legislation.
Inspections for misleading discounts and price reduction announcements
Following consumer complaints about illegal discounts in retail stores, the Authority’s Cross-Sectoral Market Control Unit immediately conducted inspections at 10 retail businesses in central Athens. The inspections revealed violations of consumer protection legislation, as well as provisions regarding price reduction announcements. Administrative fines totaling €50,000 are being imposed for these violations. Meanwhile, through an electronic application that captures price snapshots of products from online stores, e-commerce businesses were inspected regarding discount announcements. Fines totaling €45,000 are being imposed on 3 businesses for violations of current legislation.
Seizure of counterfeit products in central Athens
Following intelligence information, an inspection was carried out at a warehouse and store in central Athens, where 6,105 packages were located, seized and destroyed, corresponding to more than 89,000 pieces of counterfeit products. Among the products were accessories from FIFA World Cup 2026. Fines totaling €81,250 were imposed for this case. The Authority is intensifying inspections across the entire market spectrum, utilizing consumer complaints, price data analysis, and targeted operational interventions. As the related announcement states: “The goal is consumer protection, compliance with legality, and ensuring conditions of fair competition.”
