[ad_1]
A national investigation is launched: within the framework of a special priority action, consumer protection will verify whether service providers actually carry out PCR tests for the officially established fee of up to 19.5 thousand HUF, announced Tamás Schanda, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (IMT) Vice Minister.
A service provider that doesn’t follow the relevant rules could be fined up to millions.
The so-called PCR tests best suited to detect coronavirus infections are subject to an official price from September 21. The national investigation initiated at the initiative of ITM monitors the practice of market participants to ensure compliance with the official price and to provide consumers with adequate information.
A PCR test capable of detecting hereditary coronavirus material will be carried out free of charge in all people for whom it is epidemiologically justified. When setting the official price, service providers can request a maximum of HUF 19.5 thousand from those who use sampling and laboratory tests in exchange for a fee.
Since the legislation came into force, companies offering PCR tests on the market have developed and modified their practices in many ways. Based on the ITM order, the consumer protection authority examines the observance of the official price and the provision of information to consumers at the national level.
If the professionals find that the company offers the test more expensive than allowed, they force the company to comply with the law, that is, to take the test at a maximum official price. If the recommended price is higher due to additional convenience services (disembarkation, weekend sampling), stakeholders should also be clearly informed about certain elements of the total cost. It is necessary to show in advance and item by item exactly what the amount will be beyond the official test price, so that the consumer can clearly see why they are paying and can decide to use it with this knowledge.
The consumer protection authority can impose fines of up to 15,000 HUF up to 5% of net sales, i.e. up to millions of guilders, if it finds an unclear price indication or reveals other misleading practices during the inspection. The Innovation Ministry is expected to summarize the research results and experiences by the end of October.
[ad_2]
