Category: Press Releases

(Partial report of 2nd quarter of 2014)(Prague, August 4, 2014) Inspections of services provided by tour operators and travel agencies were significantly worse in the 2nd quarter of 2014 than in the 1st quarter. CTIA inspectors detected breaches of obligations stipulated in legal regulations in 27 of 71 inspections, i.e. 38%. Bad consumer news is that the ratio of findings increased by 12% when compared to the previous period. One third of breaches concerned claims, including especially insufficient or deceitful information about consumer right...

(Prague, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Ústí nad Labem, August 7, 2014) Besides annual scheduled inspections, directors of regional inspectorates also carry out extraordinary inspections that are connected with traditional fairs and events, inspect consumers’ submissions and monitor fairness of sale and services in summer recreational resorts. Inspectors usually detect a number of shortcomings that most frequently reflect in consumers’ wallets. Organizers of presentation sales events are also pretty active and send consumers deceitful invita...

(Interim report of 2nd quarter of 2014)(Prague, August 5, 2014) 208 of 330 sellers of footwear (63%) failed within an inspection action focused on labelling of footwear in the 2nd quarter of 2014. The results worsened by 12% when compared with the previous quarter. Shortcomings concerning obligatory labelling of material composition of footwear were detected in every fourth Inspected workplace, including 43 cases in which consumers were not informed about prices of footwear. The complete press release is available in the attachment.

(Prague, August 4, 2014) Jiří Fröhlich has become the new spokesperson of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority. He will be in charge of activities related to external communication. The Director General of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority selected him to be the new spokesperson. Jiří Fröhlich has had 15 years of experience working in the media. He already started his carrier at secondary school when he worked as a moderator of a regional radio station. He spent five years at the radio Černá Hora and then joined the radio station Frekvence 1...

(Prague, July 30, 2014) Inspectors of the Technical Inspection Department of the CTIA focused on inspections of pregnancy tests, i.e. in vitro diagnostic devices for self-testing, in order to check functioning of these medical devices intended for use by laics at home. Laboratory analysis concerned 15 pregnancy tests collected in the retail market. Despite the fact that according to the results of a referential laboratory all collected samples correctly detected early stage of pregnancy, i.e. at latest on the day of expected menstruation, cases...

(Special inspection action on national discrimination in restaurants)(Prague, July 23, 2014) Surveys show that most visitors to the Czech Republic most frequently visit the capital of Prague. In order to develop tourism it is necessary to check whether offered services make good impression and inspire tourists for another visit. Hence, annually inspectors of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority target at attractive and touristic locations and inspect fairness of services providers in order to check – among others – whether foreign consumers are...

(Monitoring of fuel quality in June 2014 and 1st half of 2014)(Prague, June 17, 2014) 9 of 236 motor fuel samples collected at filling stations and inspected by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority in June failed the determined limits of applicable technical standards. Besides three diesel fuel samples and the same number of LPG samples, there was one sample of petrol, diesel fuel blend, and FAME that failed the quality criteria. During the first half of 2014, the total of 1,365 fuel samples were collected and noncompliant quality was detected ...

(Pilsen, July 14, 2014) Life in Karlovy Vary returns to normal after the 49th International Film Festival, but it is not sure whether all guests return to their homes with good memories. CTIA inspectors may guess because all through the festival they inspected fairness of selling products and level of provided services. Inspection results showed that every third guest or customer was harmed. There were minor shortcomings, including missing information about prices of products and services as well as use of uncertified glasses and incorrect weig...

(Ostrava, July 1, 2014) While most people enjoyed the weekend relaxing in the May weather, inspectors of the CTIA inspectorate seated in Ostrava together with members of the Alien Police worked at the marketplace in the Šenovská Street to check whether marketeers offer consumers with products infringing certain intellectual property rights. They detected counterfeits in only one of 17 inspected stalls. However, in all other cases they discovered a number of other shortcomings and breaches of obligations. Sellers paid 14 on-the-spot fines amount...

(Pilsen/Ústí, July 2, 2014) Inspectors focused on marketplaces in border regions where especially foreigners shop. The result of a number of inspections in Western and Northern Bohemia were thousands of collected fakes detected, i.e. products infringing certain intellectual property rights – if these products were sold, the owners of these rights would be harmed by millions of CZK. Besides counterfeits, risky products that failed conditions stipulated for safe use were also offered. The complete press release is available in the attachment.