The OMIC continues to provide its services to the public electronically and through the 010 phone service. Claims and enquiries will continue to be preferably dealt with online. For those inquiries or complaints that require face-to-face attention, you must make an appointment in advance on the municipal procedures portal ajuntament.barcelona.cat/cita/omic, by calling 010, or at the Municipal Procedures Kiosk.

What is consumption?

According to the Consumer Code of Catalonia (Act 22/2010 of 20 July 2010 on the Consumer Code of Catalonia), consumption takes place when all the following conditions are met:

  • There is a relationship of consumption between two parties (sale of goods and/or provision of services) at any of the following stages:
  1. Information
  2. Offer
  3. Promotion
  4. Advertising
  5. Marketing
  6. Use
  7. Sale of goods or supply of services
  8. Subsequent obligations
  • The claimant is a natural person (an “individual”), a non-profit association or a property owners’ association.
  • The claimant is acting in an area outside a business or professional activity.
  • The party against whom the claim is being made is not a natural person (with the exception of self-employed workers).

 

 

The following are consumer issues:

  • Utilities (water, gas and electricity)
  • Telephone and internet access
  • Tourist services
  • Bar and restaurant services
  • Transport
  • Home service providers
  • Insurance
  • Financial services
  • Product purchases or repairs

The following are NOT consumer issues:

  • Labour disputes
  • Civil rights
  • Co-existence matters in owners’ associations
  • Relations with the Public Administration
  • Consumer issues that are being dealt with in court and/or that can turn into criminal matters may not be handled by the OMIC, as it has not been granted powers for such cases by the Consumer Code of Catalonia.