The government has submitted to Parliament a draft bill to amend and supplement the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria. The proposed changes aim to improve the regulatory framework related to the dual display of prices for goods and services in both leva and euros, as well as to introduce measures against unjustified price increases.

To ensure effective access for regulatory authorities to pricing information needed for inspections during the transition to the euro, the draft grants powers to request data, access commercial premises, and obliges those being inspected to cooperate.

During the period of dual display of prices, retailers may not raise prices of goods and services unless such increases are justified by objective economic factors, the draft stipulates. Penalties for unjustified price hikes will also be increased.

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photo: BGNES