Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Enkelejd Musabelliu presented a consumer protection bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill aligns Albanian legislation with 15 European Union legal acts, including 14 directives and one regulation. It addresses digitalisation, online trade and demand for sustainable products and services.

The proposed rules aim to improve price transparency, prevent unfair contract terms and ensure clear information about products and contracts. They also cover online platforms, including transparency in product rankings and paid promotions. Authorities could order the removal of illegal content or block online interfaces when they threaten consumer interests or provide misleading information.

The bill also seeks to prevent false environmental claims by requiring traders and manufacturers to verify claims about products’ environmental impact. It strengthens legal protections against market abuse, recognises the right to repair goods beyond the legal warranty period at reasonable prices, and bans the sale of products with different compositions or characteristics when traders present them as identical to those sold in European Union countries.

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