More fines issued for violating consumer product laws

The Dutch food and consumer product safety authority NVWA issued 20 percent more fines in 2016 than in 2015 for violation of various consumer laws. These included violation of the Commodities Act, the Tobacco Act, Medicines Act and the Act for the protection of plants and animals, ANP reports.

The NVWA attributes the increase to stricter inspections and letting fewer culprits go with a warning. In total the NVWA 7,766 fines. This included things like selling products you aren't allowed to, giving false information and the like.

The average fine amount was 1,461 euros in 2016. The largest fine was 180 thousand euros and it was issued to a violator of the Tobacco Act, who did not keep to the rules of advertising.

In 2015 a total of 6,716 fines were issued with a fine average of 1,351 euros.