The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has published its 2023 Annual Report, detailing the extensive investigations, enforcement actions and information campaigns carried out by the watchdog last year.
Brian McHugh, Chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, said: “From small daily purchases to big financial decisions, markets must work for consumers. The CCPC is taking action against rogue traders who try to dodge their responsibilities and deceive their customers.
“This year the new competition law came into force, giving the CCPC new fining and surveillance powers, allowing us to gather more evidence quickly and fine guilty companies. With the help of these new powers, we will move faster, take more cases, and become even more of a deterrent to bad actors in the Irish marketplace.
“We are committed to delivering increased and clear outcomes in enforcement, informing consumers and being a leading voice for competition and consumer interests.”
KEY CCPC ACTIONS IN 2023
• Over 180,000 unsafe products withdrawn or recalled from the Irish market, including hurling helmets, soft toys and travel adaptors.
• A 100% increase in Compliance Notices issued and a 206% increase in fines imposed
• Dawn raids carried out on four premises
• 183 trader inspections carried out nationally
• 40,000 calls answered by the CCPC Consumer Helpline
• 68 mergers reviewed in sectors from parking to pharmaceuticals
• New guidelines issued to over 550 nursing homes across Ireland
• Over 900,000 visits to the online money tools section of the CCPC website, a 17% increase on the previous year, plus more than five million engagements across six social media public awareness campaigns
As the CCPC gained new and expanded powers under the Competition Amendment Act and the Digital Services Act, the organisation has also grown in size to over 200 staff.
Brian McHugh added: “The CCPC is growing rapidly as an organisation to meet the responsibilities of our expanding brief, including new work in digital regulation, data governance and accessibility.
“For me, 2023 brought the honour of being appointed Chairperson of the CCPC. I am immensely proud to lead a team dedicated to fighting for consumers and delivering better markets that work for everyone.”
The CCPC Annual Report 2023 is available at www.ccpc.ie/consumers/about/annual-reports/
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