Scanner price accuracy

Although there is no specific law that applies to the accuracy of a scanned price, some overcharges may violate the Competition Act, for example, charging more than the advertised price.

The Competition Bureau regards scanner price accuracy as an important element of maintaining consumer confidence. This is why we have endorsed the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code, which is managed by the Retail Council of Canada on behalf of participating Canadian retailers. Under the code, when the scanned price of an item without a price tag is higher than the displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free of charge when it is worth less than $10, or receive a $10 reduction if the correct price is worth more than $10.