In a written statement, Minister of Commerce Ruhsar Pekcan stated that due to the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, upon the applications received by them regarding the exorbitant increase in the prices of disinfectants, colognes and some food products, especially protective masks, due to the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, the Ministry instructed the 81 provincial directorates of the Ministry to audit and the necessary steps were taken quickly.
Emphasizing that within the scope of this audit, the January-February 2020 purchase and sales prices and current prices of the products subject to the audit were determined in the sales points in all provinces, Pekcan said, “The number of companies audited for the prices of products such as ‘surgical masks and 3M mask types, disinfectants, surgical gloves, hand antiseptics, cologne and pasta, pulses and other food’ audited between February 28 and March 25 is 6 thousand 448, and the number of products audited is 13 thousand 280. ” gave the information.
Pekcan stated that in this process, 31 thousand 817 applications were made to the provincial directorates of the Ministry through the Unfair Price Increase Complaint System Mobile Application, and 2 thousand 74 applications were made to the Ministry through CIMER, and that the necessary information was conveyed to the citizens who made these applications, and that on-site inspections were carried out immediately in matters requiring inspection.
In addition, Pekcan pointed out that the General Directorate of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance has also initiated ex officio examinations on companies selling through the website, and by writing a distributed letter to the platforms where these products are sold, they stated that malicious sellers who try to turn the current process into an opportunity should be removed from their platforms immediately, otherwise those who sell these products as well as those who operate these platforms will be responsible.
Pekcan stated that both the ex-officio examinations, the inspection reports from the provincial directorates of trade and the complaints made by the citizens themselves were transferred to the Advertising Board operating under the Ministry of Commerce, and reminded that the board meeting scheduled for March 10 was brought forward by one week and held on March 3. Pekcan also stated that at this meeting, a total of 943 thousand 29 lira administrative fines were imposed on 9 companies, which were found to have unfair price increases in the applications of a total of 13 companies / persons regarding the prices of masks offered for sale on various websites.
Pointing out that the Advertising Board was called to an extraordinary meeting for the second time this month by the Ministry due to the importance of the issue, Pekcan noted the following:
“At the meeting held on March 25, the practices carried out by 268 commercial enterprises and websites, whose examination was completed, were taken to the agenda. 6 thousand 335 companies are under investigation and legal processes are ongoing. As a result of the examination carried out by the Advertising Board, it was determined that the practices of 189 companies were in violation of the Law on Consumer Protection, and a total of 9 million 147 thousand 31 lira administrative sanctions were decided to be imposed on these companies. When the details of the administrative sanction decision in question are examined, a total of 7 million 963 thousand 356 liras, 104 thousand 781 Turkish liras for each company, was imposed on 76 commercial enterprises selling over the internet, and a total of 1 million 183 thousand 675 liras, 10 thousand 475 liras for each company, was imposed on 113 other businesses that were found to apply exorbitant prices. It is seen that 111 of the applications subject to administrative sanctions are masks, 6 of masks and disinfectants, 1 of masks and cologne, 36 of disinfectants, 26 of cologne, 1 of wet wipes and cologne, 2 of wet wipes and 6 of food products.”
”A total of 10 million 90 thousand 60 lira penalty to opportunistic companies”
Minister Pekcan drew attention to the importance of the meetings held by the Advertising Board and said, “In the two meetings held by the Board in March, an administrative fine of 10 million 90 thousand 60 lira was imposed on 198 companies that were found to apply unfair price increases.”
Pointing out that it is possible to increase the fine up to 10 times in case of continuation of such violations, Pekcan said, “In order to ensure the security of the supply chain of basic needs and foodstuffs by our Ministry, the necessary inspection activities will continue without interruption before importers, producers and sellers, and the necessary sanctions will be imposed on those found in violation.”
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/ticaret-bakani-pekcan-salgin-firsatcilarina-kesilen-cezalari-acikladi/1780103
