On 1 February 2016, an amendment to the Consumer Protection Act took effect. The amendment particularly introduces out-of-court resolution of consumer disputes. Until February, if consumers felt that their rights were affected, they could only resolve their disputes before court. Now, however, they may turn to the Czech Trade Inspection Authority or another state-authorized entity that is supposed to lead both parties to reach an amicable settlement of the dispute.Although the entrepreneur is not in any way obliged to accept the settlement, it must provide the authority with necessary assistance, especially hand in the required documents and information. If a settlement is not reached within 90 days, the proceedings are terminated and the consumer may only use the traditional judicial way.
Furthermore, a new information duty for the entrepreneur has been introduced: the entrepreneur is obliged to ensure that the consumer is informed about this method of dispute resolution – in an easily accessible and understandable form, including a link to the website of a competent authority. This information must always be compulsorily published by the entrepreneur on its website and included in its business terms and conditions. If the dispute cannot be settled directly, the consumer must be informed in paper form or through another durable data medium.
The business terms and conditions must be adapted within 3 months. Breaches of the obligations specified above will be subject to fines of up to CZK 1 mil.
