The President of the Polish competition authority, UOKiK, is scrutinizing whether consumers are adequately informed about their rights under the Omnibus directive, which came into effect on January 1. This directive imposes new informational obligations on online businesses, including the requirement to disclose whether a seller is a business or a private individual, and to clarify the division of responsibilities between the platform and the seller.

Following UOKiK's intervention, many businesses have begun to adjust their practices. However, Zalando, Booking, and Travelist have been accused of not making necessary changes to their consumer communication, which could mislead customers regarding the nature of the offers and the responsibilities associated with transactions.

UOKiK's monitoring revealed 19 instances of non-compliance, prompting calls for explanations and changes from the involved companies. The authority emphasizes that clear information is crucial for consumers, particularly regarding their rights when dealing with businesses versus private individuals.

Despite warnings, Zalando, Booking, and Travelist have not altered their practices, leading to allegations of violating collective consumer interests. This could result in significant penalties, as the authority aims to enhance consumer protection in the digital marketplace.

UOKiK continues to monitor compliance with the Omnibus directive, which also includes new rules on promotional pricing and requires businesses to disclose the lowest price from the previous 30 days before a discount.