Christmas is a period when many purchases are made, both in person in shops and online (food, gifts, toys, etc.). It is a time, therefore, when there are important changes in our consumption habits.

TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Responsible Consumption at Christmas

With the Christmas holidays approaching, the Directorate General for Services, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs of the Government of the Balearic Islands has issued some basic advice to follow over the festive season to maintain the magic of Christmas through responsible consumption.

Make lists and budgets for the products you want to buy. It is worth bearing in mind that the price of some products increases at Christmas.

Plan and stagger purchases (food, gifts, toys…).

Avoid compulsive and unnecessary purchases. During this time of year, we are subjected to insistent advertising campaigns that often incite us to make excessive purchases. We must be reflective and critical of advertising information, and compare prices and the quality of products and services.

Advertising is binding and can be enforced. Therefore, it is advisable to keep service offer documents, instructions, catalogues…

Avoid credit. Quick loans can only increase debt.

Consume thoughtfully, responsibly, fairly and in an environmentally friendly way. It is essential to generate the least possible impact on the environment.

Favour social equality, promote decent working conditions, exercise solidarity-based consumption, and buy fair trade and local products.

Do not buy more than what is needed, and commit to the reuse and recycling of products.

Do not wrap gifts using excessive amounts of paper and look for energy efficiency when lighting the house.

Fairtrade products are a good choice, as they are produced and processed according to ethical, social and environmental criteria. They are a supportive alternative.

When buying toys, it is important to think that they should be used to entertain the children. It is important to assess the content of the games and their educational aspects. It is advisable:

Take into account the age and maturity of children.
Avoid sexist distinctions and incitement to violence.
Read the labels, rules and instructions on the toys. Pay attention to the minimum compulsory information that must appear: CE marking (meaning that the toy complies with the essential safety requirements contained in EU standards); name and brand of the product; company name and address of the manufacturer or importer or seller; and instructions, warnings for use and age restrictions, if any.
Check whether they contain small parts that can be pulled apart, have parts or edges that can puncture or cut, or have openings where children can put their fingers or hands in and not pull them out.
Electrically operated toys: they should specify the maximum power, the supply voltage they need and their energy consumption.
Toys made from renewable materials (wood, cardboard, etc.) generally have a lower environmental impact in the manufacturing process than those made using industrial processes (synthetic materials, plastics, etc.).
When buying video games. There are different types of video games on the market (action, adventure, strategy, sports, educational, fantasy, historical, simulators, puzzles…). It is advisable to bear in mind:

The most appropriate one for the age, personality and sensitivity of the user should be chosen, especially if the user is a minor.
The labelling should indicate the company name and address of the manufacturer importer or seller. The instructions for use and characteristics are included, and it has the PEGI code (code of conduct of the European interactive software industry, which establishes a classification by age and content).
The game rating must appear on the front bottom and back of the video game. It refers to the appropriateness of the visual content, but not to the degree of difficulty or the skills required.
Internet purchases: these are becoming more and more common, but they can bring unpleasant surprises.

Use a secure server that shows a closed padlock and a page with https.
Check the original price of the product, whether it includes VAT and whether or not it has shipping costs.
Make sure that you can identify the person responsible for the website or the supplier (name, address, VAT number).
Legal right of withdrawal, of which you must have been informed.
It is obligatory in distance contracting and outside commercial establishments. The consumer must inform the company of his/her wish to withdraw within 14 calendar days from the day following the signing of the contract, in the case of service contracts, and from the day following the material possession of the goods, in the case of sales contracts, without having to give any reason whatsoever.

Keep a copy of the purchase transactions carried out. A page summarising the transaction should appear at the end of the purchase order (it is advisable for buyers to keep a copy, even in the event of an incident or failed transaction due to a computer error).
There are several rules in European law, reflected in the EU Code of Online Rights, which protect consumers throughout the process of carrying out an online transaction.
When paying, ask for and keep all invoices or purchase receipts, as they are the guarantee and may be needed in the event of a complaint.

In the event of an incident with the product, you should complain to the company that sold it.

Commercial establishments must have official complaint forms.

It is a guarantee to contract with a company that is a member of the Consumer Arbitration System, which is identified with the membership mark.

For more information:

Offices of the Directorate General for Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs. Compulsory appointment system.

• Palma: 971 17 79 79
• Maó: 971 17 73 33
• Eivissa: 971 17 70 67
• Social networks: @IBConsum
• Free consumer helpline: 900 16 60 60 00
• Online complaint: reclamacionsconsum.caib.es