"Protecting consumers and fair competition is the essence of a modern market economy. It was clear for the creators of the competition Authority from the very beginning that consumers-citizens were to be the key beneficiaries of competition between companies” Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said, opening celebrations of 25 years of competition law in Poland.

Poland celebrates 25 years of competition law this April, which also marks the 25th anniversary of UOKiK, the country’s competition Authority, which has played a crucial role in the establishment of the country’s market economy by safeguarding the interests of consumers and fair competition between companies. Today UOKiK is a public institution whose importance is appreciated by both the country’s citizens-consumers and business community alike.

“UOKiK is an example of how important it was 25 years ago to create a network of institutions in Poland without which a modern democracy based on a market economy and respect for citizen and consumer rights would simply not be able to function well” the Prime Minister said.

The head of the Polish government emphasised that protecting consumers and competition was the essence of a modern market economy. The Prime Minister added, however, that despite the growing awareness of consumers of their rights and the ever greater opportunities to act together, there are still consumers, especially the elderly, who easily fall prey to practices that violate their interests.

“It is unfortunate but we can see that the ever tougher competition between companies on the market can sometimes lead to situations in which consumer interests are consciously violated. There are commercials that are deliberately misleading, there are “super deals” that turn out to be financial traps, there are even clauses in contracts and agreements that seem to rather reflect the dark side of Poland’s economic success,” she stated.

Joining the Prime Minister at the 25th anniversary celebration were Professor Małgorzata Gersdorf, the first judge of Poland’s Supreme Court, and Professor Anna Fornalczyk, the first President of the former Antimopoly Office, UOKiK’s predecessor.

Prof. Fornalczyk recalled the Authority’s beginnings: We had to destroy what had been natural in the past to be able to create the fundamentals for our market economy. We not only had to fight monopolies that dominated the economy back then, but we also had to battle the “monopoly mentality”.

Poland’s antimonopoly law and the establishment of the Antimonopoly Office both date back to April 1990. Six years later, the Office was transformed into UOKiK, which would also become responsible for the protection of consumer interests. Monitoring state aid for companies, fuel quality and general product safety are currently among its numerous other responsibilities. Poland amended its Act on competition and consumer protection in January, 2015, in response to the emergence of new challenges for the Authority on the market.

Additional information for the media:

Press Office, UOKiK
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone.: +48 22 827 28 92, +48 22 55 60 314, +48 22 55 60 430
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl