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Guide

Omnibus & Price-Reduction Rules in Malta

Omnibus Directive

If you run an online shop that sells to consumers in Malta, the Omnibus Directive shapes how you advertise price reductions. It updates the EU consumer-protection framework, and its most visible feature for e-commerce is a rule on how discounts must be presented. It reaches Malta through national transposition, with enforcement handled by the national authority, but the substance is common across the Union.

The 30-Day Lowest-Prior-Price Rule

The headline rule is that when you announce a price reduction, you must show the prior price against which the reduction is calculated, and that prior price is the lowest price you applied during a set period before the reduction — generally the previous 30 days. The purpose is to stop inflated “was” prices that make a discount look bigger than it is. A genuine sale references the real lowest recent price rather than an artificially high figure.

For a PrestaShop seller, this means the reference price shown next to a discounted price should reflect the lowest price in the prior 30-day window, not simply the last price before the promotion or an aspirational list price.

Why It Matters for Online Shops

Price-reduction announcements are everywhere in e-commerce — banners, product pages, category promotions and sale events. The rule applies to how those reductions are framed, so it touches the everyday running of a shop rather than a rare edge case. Getting the reference price right across all these places is the core of compliance.

  • Show a prior price whenever you announce a reduction.
  • Base that prior price on the lowest price in the previous 30 days.
  • Apply the same logic consistently across product pages, banners and promotions.
  • Keep price history so you can justify the reference price you displayed.

Enforcement in Malta: the MCCAA

Consumer protection in Malta is associated with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, the MCCAA, which is the reference point for enforcing consumer rules including price-reduction requirements. The practical takeaway is that misleading discounts can attract attention, so accurate reference prices are worth the effort. Exact procedures and enforcement steps are matters for the national arrangements, so treat this as a qualitative picture rather than a fixed checklist.

Language and Local Practice

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English, both widely used in commerce. That makes it straightforward for many sellers to present pricing and promotional information clearly, since English is an official language alongside Maltese.

Practical Steps for Online Sellers

  • Configure your shop so discounted prices display a prior price based on the previous 30 days’ lowest price.
  • Avoid inflated “was” prices that overstate the size of a reduction.
  • Keep a record of price changes so you can substantiate reference prices.
  • Apply the rule consistently across all promotional displays.

For the EU-wide picture, see our overview of the Omnibus Directive and our complete Omnibus guide. For a country hub, visit our Malta page.

This article is educational, not legal advice.