New Rights for Consumers

Romanian consumers are entitled to exchange faulty goods, under new gov't order.

Valentin Țigău, 29.02.2016, 13:16

In the latest move to adjust its legislation to European standards, Romania has adopted new rights for customers. Under a government order that came into force on Sunday, shops are obliged to exchange faulty goods within 15 days of sale.

With the exception of those who only sold their goods online, shops were not obliged to exchange or refund faulty goods until now. Often, it was the shop assistant who decided if certain goods could be replaced, while some shops even displayed signs saying they do not exchange the goods sold.

Also, from now shops are on obliged to repair faulty products within 15 days of the return of the product in question. Otherwise, buyers are entitled to ask for a full refund. The new regulation establishes the content of the guarantee document very clearly. For example, the guarantee terms must contain information about the consumer rights established by law and clearly state that these rights are not affected.

The governments new order also includes a definition of the notion of “consumer. Thus, a consumer is any individual person or groups of individuals organised as consumer associations who act outside of their professional capacities. For example, associations of individual apartment owners or tenants in an apartment building are considered consumer associations under the new regulation.

Economic experts view the new changes introduced by the government as a step forward that makes traders more accountable, while also raising consumers confidence in traders and shops.