In a report published in The Malta Independent on Sunday of 3 June, the Association for Consumer Rights called on the national consumer authority and Transport Malta to investigate any "abusive practices" in relation to online car hire sites and to issue "stringent rules".

This statement is extremely worrying.

In a press release published in January 2017, the European Commission declared success after it claimed that treatment of consumers in relation to online car rental booking sites had improved. Indeed, back then, national consumer authorities, under the leadership of the UK Competition and Markets Authority, along with the European Commission, were satisfied with the changes brought about to the commercial practices of the five industry leaders Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz and Sixt. They were considered compliant with EU consumer rules. According to the EU Commission, the coordinated action brought about substantial improvements for consumers such as: transparent fuel policies, clear information on additional insurance, clear procedure for vehicle inspection, fair damage handling process and total booking price including unavoidable charges.

It was also reported that the EU trade association, Leaseurope, had developed further guidelines for the whole car rental sector.

It seems that more than a year after the EU Commission's solemn proclamation, "abusive practices" may still be taking place in Malta.

Can the Association for Consumer Rights inform readers which websites have breached consumer law?

 

Antoine Grima