Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/141344 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Citation: 
[Journal:] Wirtschaftsdienst [ISSN:] 1613-978X [Volume:] 94 [Issue:] 3 [Publisher:] Springer [Place:] Heidelberg [Year:] 2014 [Pages:] 217-220
Publisher: 
Springer, Heidelberg
Abstract: 
Der aktuelle Rechtsstreit zwischen Ritter Sport und der Stiftung Warentest beschädigt beide Parteien. Verliert das Testsiegel an Glaubwürdigkeit, wird es für Produzenten qualitativ hochwertiger Waren schwieriger, ihren Reservationspreis durchzusetzen. Das kann langfristig zu einer qualitativen Verschlechterung der Produktpalette führen. Daher sind andere vertrauenswürdige Informationsangebote und eine Wiederherstellung der Reputation der Stiftung Warentest unabdingbar.
Abstract (Translated): 
Stiftung Warentest is one of the most important consumer protection organisations in Germany, empowering consumers to protect themselves. For their Test Magazine's December 2013 issue, they, inter alia, tested hazelnut chocolate. Ritter Sport's hazelnut chocolate was given a failing grade. This grade was not given because of low quality but because of misleading labeling. Stiftung Warentest faulted Ritter Sport for having labeled an artifi cial fl avouring as a natural one. Ritter Sport rejected the assertion, went to trial and won. The restraining order remains in force. We explain why Ritter Sport's victory over Stiftung Warentest creates a lose-lose situation. The Test seal of quality was damaged. Therefore, information is lost. High quality producers and consumers with quality awareness are the victims of the information loss. The authors discuss possible solutions which could overcome the no-win situation.
JEL: 
D43
D82
L15
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Published Version

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