IRAE intensifies actions against economic offences - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Qualificação Profissional e Emprego

The Regional Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IRAE) has an operational plan underway to detect speculation practices, through the verification of compliance with the rules that must be observed in the marketing of goods in distribution chains as well as in formation and control of prices, so as to prevent speculation practices in the Region.

In full compliance with its powers in the various areas of action, and particularly in the area of economic offences, IRAE will continue to pursue this operational plan throughout 2023, given the current inflation scenario.

It should be noted that, last year, 11 investigation proceedings were opened for evidence of criminal offence involving speculation and 18 administrative offence proceedings regarding administrative offences such as lack of lists or tables containing the prices of various goods for sale to consumers, irregularities in price display, lack of price display per unit of measurement and unfair commercial practices.

With regard to price control, IRAE has developed a regional operational plan, which ran from January 16 to 27, targeting reduced price sales, such as end-of-season sales, promotions and liquidations, and also the display of prices on various products.

The inspection actions were carried out with economic operators on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico in order to verify the compliance with the legal provisions set out in Decree-Law 70/2007 of March 26, as amended, which defines commercial practices with price reductions in retail sales, and Decree-Law 138/90 of April 26, as amended, which regulates the mandatory indication of the prices of goods and services made available to consumers in the market.

In this context, 253 inspection actions were carried out, leading to the identification of 15 administrative offences.

The Regional Inspectorate of Economic Activities, within the scope of its competences, ensures that it will continue to remain closely attentive to eventual price speculation crimes in food and other goods, so as to guarantee fair commercial practices and safeguard consumers' rights.