The Vienna Commercial Court has ruled in favor of the Consumer Protection Association (VSV) in a test case against the supplier Verbund and declared a price increase compared to the previous year ineffective. The ruling is likely to cause a stir because – if legally binding – there is a risk of refunds of up to several thousand euros per affected household.
A recent ruling against the Verbund due to an unacceptable price increase is causing headaches for domestic energy suppliers. As of March 2023, the supplier has increased rates, some of them significantly, with reference to Article 80 ElWOG in its General Terms and Conditions (GTC).
The Consumer Protection Association (VSV) subsequently initiated model cases (currently there are proceedings against Energie AG and Salzburg AG) and has now received justice in the Verbund case of the Vienna Commercial Court.
“We assume that the ruling will cause big waves,” says VSV chairman Daniela Holzinger. Because other energy providers have also increased their rates due to such a clause. At the same time, it will likely be difficult for the association to appeal the verdict, as the Vienna Commercial Court has declared an appeal inadmissible.
Even repaying 2000 euros is possible
All customers of the association who received an increase letter last year will soon be able to get their money back, Holzinger emphasizes. This sometimes involves a lot of money, as examples show. With a consumption of approximately 6000 kWh per year, approximately 700 euros is possible. If you heat with a heat pump, you can even hope to save more than 2,000 euros, the VSV calculates.
According to reports, the association has already “reserved” an amount of millions on its balance sheet as a precaution.
According to Holzinger, those affected should join the fundraising campaign at www.verbraucherschutzverein.eu. If the judgment becomes final, the club will then demand the money back for the customers. The only requirement: membership of the VSV for about 40 euros.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
