Brazil intensifies fuel price and consumer protection inspections

The Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum (ANP) has escalated its crackdown on abusive fuel prices, carrying out more than 3,300 inspections since March and issuing 683 infractions, including 23 for unjustified price hikes. The agency plans a new three‑month phase starting 1 July that will increase inspection activity by over 40%, targeting fuel stations, LPG retailers and ethanol producers, with potential fines ranging from R$ 50,000 to R$ 500 million.

In parallel, the municipal consumer‑protection authority Procon in Natal, under director Dina Pérez, has expanded its inspection program for the first half of the year. Procon has increased price‑survey checks on fuels, basic food items, medicines and other consumer goods, and has begun targeting issues such as super‑indebtedness, health‑plan disputes and online betting platforms. Pérez highlighted recent enforcement actions against solar‑energy service contracts and the launch of a dedicated Procon Saúde unit.

Both agencies emphasize information sharing and consumer education as key tools for safeguarding market fairness and curbing abusive practices across Brazil.