The Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition ( Acodeco ) reported that through Executive Decree No. 89 of June 30, 2021 , the National Government extended for 6 more months, Executive Decree 114 of March 13, 2020 , which established the percentage of gross sales margin per unit, on the selling price of disposable masks in 15% and 23% ten products grooming, hygiene and consumer staples in this pandemic.

It should be remembered that the Ministry of Health deemed it necessary to maintain the Covid-19 mitigation measures, so Acodeco considered that these 11 products will continue to have high demand in the population and recommended to extend the validity of this decree.

Regarding compliance with this regulation, Acodeco indicated that so far in 2021, 372 fines have been applied in the first instance, to different economic agents throughout the country, with a total amount of $440,000.00, for breach of this measure.

It should be noted that Acodeco is in charge of verifying that the established marketing margins of 15% for disposable masks and 23% for the other 10 products are met (antibacterial or antimicrobial product, alcoholic or antibacterial gel, alcohol for external use, soap antibacterial stick or liquid, tissue disinfectants, aerosol disinfectants, vitamin C, disposable gloves and wet wipes).

The Authority emphasizes that the economic agents, at the time of verification, who do not have the invoices for the items mentioned in the previous paragraph, will have five business days for their due submission via email.

Acodeco applies exemplary and immediate fines to those who fail to comply with the gross profit margin on personal hygiene and cleaning items. Among those sanctioned are supermarkets, mini-supermarkets, warehouses, pharmacies, consumer cooperatives and grocery stores.