The Price Indication Regulations (LN 283/2002) was issued under the Consumer Affairs Act and came into force on the 1st October, 2002. The Operations Directorate is responsible for the surveillance of these regulations and frequent inspections are carried out to ensure that the indication of the price at which goods are available to the consumers is clearly legible, unambiguous, easily identifiable and inclusive of VAT and any additional taxes. Price indication should be available and legible to consumers without them having to ask for assistance in order to see them.
Shortly following the coming into force of these regulations, inspectors from the Directorate made visits to all the outlets in Malta and Gozo. During this first visit, an informative letter about Price Indication was given to all traders. This is an ongoing exercise for each new shop that opens from time to time. Second visits were made and a warning letter was issued to any outlet that failed to comply with the regulations.
FAQ’S
How should price indications be given?
Prices can be:
- Shown on goods themselves
- On a ticket or notice next to the goods; or
- Grouped together with other prices on a list or catalogue in close proximity to the goods.
What about goods in shop windows?
Window and similar displays which contain items which can be removed and sold to consumers (eg jewelers), must display selling prices, unless the items are purely promotional and not for sale.
Can price indications be in a foreign currency?
With the future introduction of the Euro, the legal notice goes on to state that the unit price “shall be in Maltese currency” meaning that under no circumstances should
- The price in any other currency be displayed with more prominence that the price in Maltese Liri
- The price in any other currency be displayed as the only price on an object being offered for sale.
Are there any exemptions?
The following do not require an indication of retail prices:
- Private sales
- Trade to trade sales
- Sales of antiques and works of art
- Sales by auction
- Products supplied during the provision of a service (eg shampoo used at a hairdresser)
- Advertisements
Non compliance to these regulations amounts to an offence. Any person found guilty of such offence is liable to a fine of not less than Lm100 and not more than Lm10,000 and a further fine of Lm50 daily until full compliance is reached. |
