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Luxembourg's Ministry of Consumer Protection has reported that it carried out inspections on 102 establishments in the beauty sector between February and October 2023.
As part of its mission to check the indication of prices of products and services, the ministry carried out a targeted investigation in the beauty sector. This involved inspecting a total of 102 establishments, including hair salons, beauty salons, tattoo parlors and perfumeries, across the entire country over an eight-month period.
The inspections focused in particular on the display of prices and rates for services and the display of the relevant business permit. Purchase tests were also carried out on an ad hoc basis.
The findings included insufficient display of the prices of products sold inside establishments (69%) and the prices of services provided on the storefront (58%). This failure was especially noted in establishments whose activity is centered on the provision of services, such as hair salons and beauty institutes.
The ministry assured, however, that it adopts a "collaborative" approach during initial inspections. If professionals find it difficult to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Code, the ministry tries to support them in implementing compliance. The ministry has published a "Professional Guide" containing free information (in different languages) for professionals in this context.
The ministry noted that professionals in the sector demonstrated "great cooperation" throughout the inspections and a "desire for transparency on prices practice".
Paulette Lenert, Luxembourg's Minister of Consumer Protection, specified that "the best way to protect consumer rights is to collaborate, hand in hand, with professionals in the sector, in building a relationship of mutual trust and where transparency prevails."
To remedy the problems identified and ensure better transparency for consumers as well as fair competition, the following actions will be taken:
- a debriefing with sector representatives to discuss the results of the inspections and the problems observed in order to deploy a targeted communication strategy among companies in the sector;
- the ministry assured that it intends to offer its expertise to complement and strengthen existing professional training programmes;
- the ministry, together with the Grand Ducal Police, will carry out follow-up checks in establishments where violations were recorded.
The ministry recalled that the police may issue fines for non-compliance with the rules regarding price indication. Criminal proceedings may also be initiated, with fines of between €25 and €1,000 (up to €2,000 under certain conditions).
