Progressive Bulgaria submits bills aimed at curbing prices

The ruling Progressive Bulgaria party has submitted two draft laws to parliament aimed at curbing prices and tackling speculation and unjustified mark-ups, lawmaker Yavor Gechev said at a briefing quoted by BTA.

One of the bills proposes amendments to the Protection of Competition Act, while the other targets changes to the Consumer Protection Act. The proposals would expand the list of unfair trade practices on the so-called 'blacklist' from 13 to 33. A registry would also be introduced to track products throughout the supply chain.

Gechev said that a mechanism would be put in place to prevent low-quality goods from entering the Bulgarian market.

The draft legislation also introduces the concept of 'excessively high prices', enabling the Commission for the Protection of Competition to require businesses to justify their pricing strategies. Among the proposals is an extension of the euro transition law by one year beyond 8 August, when it is due to expire, because 'the negative effects of the euro have not yet been fully exhausted', according to Gechev.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova