• Have auction houses in Poland violated collective consumer rights or used prohibited clauses in their contracts?
• President of UOKiK will examine practices of auction houses in the opened preliminary investigations. These include the five largest auction houses in the country.

2021 witnessed a record year for the art market. According to the data collected and published by Artinfo in its annual reports, as many as 578 auctions were held in Poland last year. More than 28,000 items were auctioned at that time, while in 2020 - more than 21,000 items were auctioned. Turnover at the art auctions in 2021 amounted to PLN 634 million. Compared to 2020, when an amount of PLN 380 million was reported, this represents an annual increase of nearly 67 per cent.

The past year was also momentous for auction houses operating in Poland for yet another reason: for the first time, digital art was offered to collectors.

This market is becoming increasingly important to consumers with interest growing year by year. Taking both of these factors into account, the President of UOKiK has initiated preliminary investigations examining the activities of the country's five largest auction houses, namely: Agra – Art, Desa Unicum, Dom Aukcyjny Polswiss Art, Rempex, as well as Sopocki Dom Aukcyjny.

– In the course of preliminary investigations, we will be looking into how cooperation between auction houses and consumers actually works. While many industries were struggling through the crisis caused by the pandemic, the art market was booming. For many consumers, not only is the purchase of works of art an investment in culture, but it is also a form of protecting money from inflation. We want to verify whether the rights and interests of consumers are not violated by the art market operators  – Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK, says.

As part of the preliminary investigations initiated, UOKiK will examine the model contracts used in relations with consumers and the possible rules for amending them. It will also examine the complaints received by the auction houses over the past two years and the manner and effect of their handling. The President of UOKiK will also look at advertisements used by auction houses.

Should the initial analysis reveal that there are grounds to bring charges against the auction houses, the President of UOKiK may initiate proceedings for violation of collective consumer interests or the use of prohibited clauses in contract templates. This is subject to financial fines of up to 10 per cent of the entrepreneur's annual turnover and the need to remedy the consequences of unlawful actions.

Consumer support:

Phone: +48 801 440 220 or +48 22 290 89 16 – consumer helpline
Email: porady@dlakonsumentow.pl
Consumer advocates – in your town or district
Trade Inspection Authority – in your province

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL