One in every four advertisements were in breach of language protection rules - advertising rules fined nearly HUF 5 million

A total of 357 advertisements were checked by the government offices under the professional control of the National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP). The inspections covered both compliance with the general advertising rules and the language protection provisions. In the case of the latter, a significant 26% of complaints have been registered, resulting in a fine of HUF 4.7 million so far. Several administrative procedures are still pending.

As in previous years, the NATCP, together with the government offices under its professional control, monitored compliance with general advertising rules and the protection of the Hungarian language, thus contributing to the protection of Hungarian families and consumers.

The enforcement and monitoring of language protection rules is a priority. According to these rules all commercial advertisements in the Hungarian -language press, on Hungarian-language radio and television programmes and on outdoor advertising media must be written in Hungarian, including the slogan. The only exceptions to this rule are the name, designation and trade mark of the company. In addition, notices in shops and shop windows intended to inform consumers must also be in Hungarian. As in the case of business advertising, this requirement can be fulfilled by displaying the Hungarian equivalent of the foreign language text alongside it, in the same legible manner and in at least the same size.

Out of 357 inspections, 117 covered compliance with the regulations for the protection of the Hungarian language. 26% of the advertisements were questionable in this area, with the government office staff finding violations in particular in outdoor advertising media, shop windows, newspapers and magazines. In a notable case, a popular fast-food chain displayed its menu and other consumer information exclusively in English in all its outlets, resulting procedures against the company.

The total amount of consumer protection fines imposed in the official procedures concluded so far HUF 4.7 million, with several procedures still pending.

In addition, the government offices under the professional supervision of the NATCP also examined compliance with general advertising rules, with particular emphasis on advertising that encourages violent behaviour or behaviour that endangers personal or public safety. The results were more favourable than those of the language protection inspections, with only 2% of the 240 advertisements examined not complying with the rules.

Official controls are ongoing to ensure that consumer rights and advertising rules are respected.