site.btaConsumer Protection, Anti-Trust Watchdogs and Telecoms Regulator Pool Efforts against Price Gouging ahead of Euro Adoption

The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC), the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP), and the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) have signed a cooperation agreement to establish an effective framework for joint action in the context of Bulgaria’s upcoming euro changeover. The agreement’s primary focus is to prevent price gouging for goods and services and to ensure consumer protection.

The agreement was signed by CPC chairperson Rosen Karadimov, CCP chairperson Maria Filipova, and CRC chairperson Ivan Dimitrov at a ceremony held at the CRC headquarters.

CRC chairperson Ivan Dimitrov said: “Technical and technological activities in businesses will certainly continue but we must not allow misuse of the currency change in Bulgaria for speculative purposes.” Joining efforts would raise sufficient awareness about the activities carried out by the three institutions, he said.

Dimitrov also spoke of recent cooperation agreements signed between CRC and all telecommunications sector enterprises, outlining a model for collaboration and stressing that businesses want to operate in a well-regulated and informed environment. Dimitrov added that the same goes for businesses in the postal and courier services sectors.

CCP chairperson Maria Filipova thanked the CRC for facilitating the publication of mobile operator service prices on the price portal and ensuring traceability. “This way, the portal developed with the support of several institutions will ensure transparency, peace of mind, and traceability of prices for goods and essential services so people can be protected,” she said. “I believe that mobile and postal service providers understand the importance of this moment for our country,” Filipova said.

CPC chairperson Rosen Karadimov said that the euro adoption process served as a catalyst for this agreement. He expressed confidence that these joint actions would not end with the euro adoption. “This is an approach that, if sustained, will enhance the effectiveness of each regulator’s activities and build public trust in the necessity of their legal powers,” Karadimov added. He noted that the agreement outlines various forms of “operational” cooperation.

A similar agreement was signed on June 6 between the National Revenue Agency, the CPC, and the CCP to ensure coordinated oversight during the euro changeover.