Draft law about Consumer Protection will equally harm consumers and business environment

22 Mar '16

Draft law about Consumer Protection will equally harm consumers and business environment – such is estimation of the business unions about the draft law, which is initiated by the Committee on European Integration and has been accepted by first hearing.
In the light of there are a number of legislative and normative acts in order to protect consumers' rights, Consumer Protection Ombudsman institutions exist in in certain sectors in Georgia, we believe that the new, parallel regulations will burden the business, the customers and the state budget.
During the process of EU association Legislative reforms are logical and natural process, on which with the community Georgian business approach seriously and responsibly. Hence these, the private sector and businessmen offered a number of notes to legislators in order to the bill would be fully in line with EU regulations and the economic reality;  Unfortunately, and surprisingly, business’s reasoned arguments and notes were totally ignored during the working process. As a result of the legislators review the project, which in many respects are not only consistent with, but are also contrary to European directives and sets unreasonable obligations that EU law does not envisage.
We would like to emphasize that adoption of the draft law, a seemingly noble cause, but also inconsistent with the EU directive, parallel with existing legislation, without taking into account the economic reality and needs, will lead to create serious problems especially for small and medium businesses, tens of thousands of traders and entrepreneurs, significantly complicate the operating for large business, will increase the cost of the service and production, will reduce the negative impact on the availability and competitive environment;
We believe that the legislators will take into consideration notes of the business unions and  the serious risks, which the project creates for business environment, will be avoided.

Business Association of Georgia           
Georgian Employer Association
EU-Georgia Business Council
Association of Banks of Georgia
Georgian Small and Medium Enterprises Association                    
Georgian Petroleum and Distributors Association