Consumer protection on a new basis

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2025/5.

– On 1 January 2025 the National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection began its work. What are its operating guidelines?

– With the creation of NKFH, the previously separate areas of FMCG retail and consumer protection have merged, so that we can now act in a united way in these two particularly important sectors. Our priority is to protect people from unfair market practices. Through regular inspections and laboratory testing, we make sure that food products placed on the market meet safety standards

„Our mission is to protect Hungarian families and effectively represent the interests of consumers,

as well as encourage prudent purchasing behaviour”

– How does NKFH plan to carry out inspections related to the price caps and what are the main objectives in this domain in 2025?

– In order to reduce food prices, NKFH and the government agencies under its professional control have started priority inspections for 30 specific product categories, to ensure that the margins applied by retailers don’t exceed the margins applied in January 2025. The government regulation affecting 30 basic food categories has led to 18.6% lower prices for these products by 14 April.

– In what ways can NKFH be a partner of retailers and manufacturers in the future?

– NKFH helps retailers as a supportive and cooperative partner. Its dual role of reconciling consumer protection with trade policy objectives allows it to balance the legitimate interests of businesses with the interests of consumers. This will contribute to having a more transparent, sustainable and competitive market environment. We are also working to make trade and consumer protection rules more transparent through education and information programmes.

‘We play an active role in explaining rights and supporting informed purchasing decisions.’

– What kind of tools, campaigns or platforms does NKFH plan to use to increase trust and awareness?

– NKFH sees its role in consumer protection not only as a controlling and sanctioning authority, but also as a tool to raise awareness. In the spirit of this we use a variety of communication channels and information tools to strengthen consumer confidence and increase knowledge.

– What is the tangible result that would make you say in a year’s time: NKFH does its job well?

– NKFH’s effectiveness won’t only be measured in terms of curbing market abuse and protecting consumer rights, but also with the frequent use of its communication platforms and the increased awareness and confidence of consumers to exercise their rights. It would be equally important to have more cooperating businesses and the market develop in a more transparent and predictable direction. //