Italy: Issued Competition Authority ruling imposing a EUR 4.5 million fine on Easy Refurbishe and Renovars for Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices

On 28 December 2023, the Competition and Market Authority issued a ruling against Facile Ristrutturare S.p.A. and its parent company Renovars S.p.A., imposing a total sanction of 4.5 million for unfair and deceptive commercial practices in the residential building renovation sector. The companies were found to have disseminated false reviews on online platforms Trustpilot and Opinioni.it, and falsely claimed a 98% customer satisfaction rate. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Facile Ristrutturare applied hidden costs to consumers in cases of reduced VAT at 10%, instead of 22%, when finishing materials for renovations were purchased through them and their partner suppliers. The Authority concluded that these practices violated articles 20, 21, and 22 of the Consumer Code, misleading consumers about the price of renovation materials and the way it is calculated, which could significantly influence consumer choices.