We operate across borders to promote greater transparency, safety and trust in the market.
Consumer Protection
The Authority participates in European networks and works with the European Commission and competent authorities in other countries to tackle infringements and support consumers in cross-border transactions.
European cooperation on enforcement — Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network
Through the services overseen by the Deputy Governor for Market Surveillance, E-Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Authority acts as Greece’s competent authority and Single Liaison Office under Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws.
The Authority works with the European Commission, authorities in other Member States and other competent Greek authorities to address cross-border infringements. It handles mutual assistance requests and alerts and participates in joint actions and coordinated online inspections (“sweeps”).
Information is exchanged through the Internal Market Information System (IMI), a secure digital tool that supports cooperation between competent authorities.
Assistance with cross-border transactions — European Consumer Centre Greece
European Consumer Centre Greece (ECC Greece) operates under the Deputy Governor – Consumer Ombudsman and is part of the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net), which covers EU Member States, Norway and Iceland.
It provides free information, advice and assistance to consumers experiencing problems with traders established in another country within the network. Working with the other Centres, it seeks to resolve disputes amicably, out of court, and helps consumers understand and assert their rights.
Our aim is to ensure that consumers have access to information and support, even when they make purchases across national borders.
Joint European action and coordinated inspections
Cooperation through the CPC Network allows authorities to tackle practices affecting consumers in several countries, such as misleading discounts and reviews, hidden charges, unfair subscription practices and advertising that is not clearly identified as such.
Through coordinated online investigations (“sweeps”), national authorities examine specific markets or commercial practices at the same time. Further investigations, compliance measures or sanctions may follow where provided for by law.
Early warning and response to emerging risks
Cross-border information exchange helps identify emerging risks to consumers at an early stage, particularly those associated with online platforms, misleading environmental claims, opaque transactions and unfair digital design practices.
The Authority aims to use alerts from European partners, complaints and inspection findings to guide targeted interventions and public information, whilst protecting confidential information and personal data.
Practical assistance for consumers purchasing goods or services from abroad
Consumers living in Greece who encounter problems with businesses established in other EU Member States, Norway or Iceland can contact European Consumer Centre Greece.
The Centre provides free information and advice and, wherever possible, assistance in resolving disputes amicably through ECC-Net. This does not replace access to the courts or administrative inspection and enforcement procedures.
Exchange of expertise and development of international partnerships
The Authority seeks to work with counterpart authorities in other countries to share expertise on market surveillance, data use, complaint handling and business compliance.
It also draws on international good practice, including that of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), particularly in relation to online consumer activity, consumer behaviour and the protection of consumer rights.
Shared expertise for a safer digital market
International experience helps us address emerging e-commerce practices such as misleading countdown timers, offers with hidden conditions, opaque product rankings and automated marketing techniques.
Sharing knowledge supports more effective inspections, clearer guidance for businesses and better information and education initiatives for consumers.
Intellectual Property (IP)
International cooperation to protect intellectual property and combat illicit trade
Protecting intellectual property rights is an important area of international cooperation. Trade in goods that infringe trade marks, patents and other rights harms legitimate businesses and fair competition and may also pose risks to health, safety and the environment.
Within its statutory powers, the Authority seeks to cooperate with EU institutions, national authorities, customs and police services, e-commerce platforms and intellectual property rights holders to identify and document infringements.
European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), including through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, provides studies, training resources and expertise to help combat counterfeiting.
The IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP) is particularly useful. It enables secure communication between rights holders, competent enforcement authorities and online marketplaces, and provides information to help identify products and signs of counterfeiting.
IPEP also supports applications for action (AFAs) under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, which are handled by the competent customs authorities. The Authority may explore how to use the available tools and train its staff accordingly.
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) contributes to combating illicit trade in goods, customs fraud and practices affecting the financial interests of the European Union.
One example is a 2023 operation involving illegally traded refrigerant gases. Cooperation between the Interagency Market Control Unit (DIMEA) and customs and police authorities, using information from OLAF and technical assistance from a rights holder, led to the seizure of approximately 15.6 tonnes of refrigerant gases (F-gases).
This example shows the importance of sharing information across borders and coordinating enforcement bodies. It does not mean that a specific cooperation agreement currently exists between the new Authority and OLAF.
Cooperation with international e-commerce platforms
Tackling products that may infringe intellectual property rights requires effective communication with major international e-commerce platforms.
Potential areas of cooperation include sharing substantiated reports, identifying traders, tackling unlawful listings and improving product traceability.
Activities are undertaken in accordance with the applicable EU and national legal framework. Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 (the Platform-to-Business or P2B Regulation) establishes rules to promote transparency and fairness for businesses operating through online intermediation services and online search engines.
The Regulation includes requirements for clear terms and conditions, transparency about the main parameters used to rank products and services, reasons for restricting or suspending business accounts, and mechanisms for handling complaints and resolving disputes.
Its objective is to enhance transparency, predictability and fair competition in relations between digital platforms and business users.
Cooperation with intellectual property rights holders
Cooperation with intellectual property rights holders can help identify and document counterfeit goods through technical information about product authenticity, details of protected rights and specialist training for inspectors.
Technical assistance must respect the independence of administrative inspections, impartiality, confidentiality and the equal treatment of businesses.
Cooperation with non-profit organisations and anti-counterfeiting associations
Cooperation with international non-profit bodies and rights-holder associations contributes to the exchange of expertise, inspector training and action against counterfeiting and piracy.
Illustrative organisations include:
INDICAM (Italy): An intellectual property protection association active since 1987 in training, research and anti-counterfeiting initiatives.
Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG): An international network of anti-counterfeiting organisations.
UNIFAB (France): An organisation dedicated to the protection of rights holders, training and awareness-raising.
React – The Anti-Counterfeiting Network: A non-profit network supporting rights holders in physical and digital markets.
International Trademark Association (INTA): An international non-profit association promoting trade mark protection.
Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG, United Kingdom): An association combating trade in counterfeit goods.
Potential areas of cooperation include identifying counterfeit goods, sharing inspection methods, training staff and organising joint public awareness initiatives.
These organisations are listed as examples; their inclusion does not confirm the existence of cooperation agreements. Any such cooperation must safeguard the Authority’s institutional independence, confidentiality and impartiality.
Illicit trade in fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and protection of rights
Illicit trade in fluorinated greenhouse gases requires coordination between customs, environmental and, where relevant, intellectual property enforcement authorities, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
Within the scope of its powers, the Authority may cooperate with OLAF, other competent services and rights holders, making use of technical information to identify suspicious products.
Infringements of environmental legislation and intellectual property rights are assessed separately. Procedures relating to the F-gas Portal remain the responsibility of the relevant competent authorities.
Cooperation priorities and reporting of results
International cooperation in the field of intellectual property may focus on three priorities:
Timely exchange of information on suspicious products and emerging forms of illicit trade.
Coordination with national and European authorities for targeted enforcement operations.
Training and technical support for inspection services by specialist bodies and rights holders.
The results of such cooperation may be published where permitted, subject to the confidentiality of investigations and the rights of those concerned.