What has changed?
Do you sell goods to consumers? There is an explicit ban on dual quality. Dual quality is when goods are sold in different EU countries as more or less identical, but their composition differs. For instance, when soft drinks are marketed under the same brand name and with comparable packaging, while the sugar content of the soft drink in 1 EU country is significantly higher than in another EU country.
Dual quality can encourage consumers to buy a product they would not have bought otherwise.
Dual quality is only allowed if there are objective and legitimate reasons. For instance, seasonality of ingredients or national regulations for the protection of consumers’ health. In such cases you must make sure to clearly inform the consumer, for example with a label.
For whom?
- entrepreneurs selling goods to consumers
When?
The 'Implementing act on the modernisation of the Consumer Protection Directive' has entered into force on 28 May 2022.