During an audit in 2023, Fraud Repression called 17 gas and electricity suppliers to order, out of the 27 reviewed. “Illicit or abusive clauses” were notably identified, as well as “more serious breaches” among large suppliers.
Energy prices in France regularly cause individuals and professionals to jump. While the electricity bills of some French people could increase again this year, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression (DGCCRF) publishes the results of a new control, which may well tense some. Out of 27 natural gas and electricity suppliers audited in 2023, 17 practiced “unlawful or abusive clauses”driving up their prices. Two out of three, indicates the report available online.
“Deceptive commercial practices” among major suppliers
According to the administration attached to the Ministry of the Economy, the investigation carried out after several reports in 2023 has “made it possible to reveal a relatively large number of breaches, particularly among certain small suppliers whose contractual documents were no longer up to date”points out the report. Eleven warnings were thus issued. The largest suppliers are accused of “more serious breaches”like the “failure to remove unfair clauses already reported” and for some of “deceptive commercial practices”.
“Illicit clauses were more frequently noted in local distribution companies (LDCs), especially in territories where competition is almost non-existent, than among national suppliers”adds Fraud Repression, which also explains that some of these suppliers have revised their contractual conditions “without properly informing consumers” in reaction to the increase in electricity and natural gas supply prices in 2022. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused gas prices to skyrocket. “Unfair clauses relating to the termination of the contract were also noted”adds the DGCCRF.
-Although it does not name the companies concerned, the Repression indicates that these findings gave rise to four injunctions, as well as a 20,000 euro fine.
published on January 23 at 11:45 a.m., Joanna Wadel, 6Medias
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