The latest position of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection regarding information about the lowest price from the last 30 days before the reduction!
by Marcin Tomczak on Jul 17, 2025
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection leaves no doubt - no more leniency towards dishonest information about the lowest price from the last 30 days before the discount!
From January 2023, entrepreneurs are obliged to inform consumers
about the lowest product price from the last 30 days before the discount. This regulation, introduced under the amendment to the Act of 9 May 2014 on Information on the Prices of Goods and Services (implementing the so-called Omnibus Directive), was intended to counteract the phenomenon of artificially inflating prices before promotions. However, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has announced decisive action against entities that have not yet complied with the regulations or are applying them in an illusory manner.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection announces intensified inspections
As announced by Tomasz Chróstny, President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), the Office has lost patience with businesses who, despite numerous information campaigns and the passage of significant time since the regulations came into force, continue to violate the law. An increased number of inspections can be expected in the near future, particularly in e-commerce and retail chains offering products at promotional prices.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) emphasizes that it is not enough to simply provide information about the lowest price from the last 30 days before the discount – this must be understandable, transparent, and unambiguous. Consumers should clearly know what the lowest price for a given product was in the 30 days preceding the discount. Any attempts to manipulate this data – for example, by selectively presenting it or referring to a different product (e.g., a different size or version) – may be considered practices that violate the collective interests of consumers.
The controls are to be intensified and also concern whether entrepreneurs ensure the comparability of product prices, i.e. whether they provide unit prices, i.e. per litre or kilogram of product.
Sanctions – up to 10% of annual turnover
Businesses who fail to comply with the regulations face serious financial consequences. The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has the power to impose fines of up to 10% of annual turnover achieved in the financial year preceding the year of imposition of the fine. This applies to cases where there was complete failure to disclose the lowest price in the last 30 days before the discount. as well as situations where this information was provided in a way that could mislead the consumer.
Furthermore, regardless of the administrative proceedings conducted by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), the Voivodeship Trade Inspection Inspectorates also supervise compliance with the regulations. Their inspections, as announced, are to be intensified.
Entrepreneurs should act now!
In recent months, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has repeatedly reminded businesses of their obligations under the regulations. Recommendations have been issued, interpretations have been made available, and educational activities have been conducted. Now it's time to enforce the law. Businesses who have not yet adapted their sales systems or product descriptions to the applicable regulations should do so as soon as possible.
Particular attention should be paid to the clarity of promotional messages. Information about the lowest price from the last 30 days before the discount, the so-called Omnibus price, should be clearly displayed, directly adjacent to the promotional price, so that consumers have no doubts about the context of the discount. Furthermore, many businesses forget to include the Omnibus price in their listings.
The amendment to the regulations regarding price reduction information was intended to end the era of fictitious promotions and illusory bargains. The current actions of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) send a clear message: there is no longer room for tolerance for violations. Consumer protection has become a reality, not an empty slogan. Businesses should treat their obligations under the regulations as a matter of principle.
about disclosing prices with due diligence – not only out of fear of penalties, but above all out of respect for fair competition and consumer rights. Transparent actions are always an excellent tool for building a brand and customer relationships.
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