From January 1, 2027, new rules will apply in Slovakia regarding the reduction of product quantity in packaging and simultaneous price increase. This change, known as "shrinkflation," will be regulated by amendments to the consumer protection law.
What changes for consumers?
If the manufacturer reduces the quantity of the product in the packaging and its unit price increases by at least 3%, the seller will be obliged to inform buyers about this. This information must be clear and understandable, placed directly on the price tag. It must include the following data:
- the fact of product quantity reduction;
- the original and new packaging volume;
- the previous unit price;
- the new unit price of the reduced packaging.
This data must be available to consumers for 60 days from the first delivery of the changed product.
Responsibility of sellers and suppliers
According to the amendments, the product supplier who reduced the quantity in the packaging must inform the seller no later than the first delivery of the changed product. However, if the seller can prove that they did not receive this information from the supplier and could not detect the reduction in product volume even with due professional care, they will not be held responsible for the absence of the relevant information on the price tag.
Context and other changes in consumer protection
This initiative is part of broader efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices. For example, from June 19, 2026, a new consumer protection law regarding remote contracts for financial services will come into effect in Slovakia. It specifically prohibits "dark patterns" in online interfaces that can manipulate consumer choice and requires the presence of a "contract withdrawal button" for online purchases.
Additionally, from August 12, 2026, new rules on packaging and packaging waste started to apply in the EU, including Slovakia. These rules limit the use of "forever chemicals" (PFAS) in food packaging and require its traceability. This may lead to increased costs for online stores, which in turn may affect prices for consumers.
These changes aim to increase transparency and protect consumer rights in Slovakia, allowing them to make more informed purchasing decisions. If you are looking for information about prices of goods and services, visit our prices section.
