The Lazio Administrative Court (TAR) has recently issued a significant ruling concerning the misleading use of the term “thermal baths,” in response to an appeal filed by Terme di Sirmione with the support of Federterme. The decision came after reports in January 2023 highlighted the use of the word “thermal” in the names of wellness centers that lack access to thermal water. Current legislation restricts the use of the term to facilities that utilize mineral waters under specific concessions. The ruling emphasizes that the inclusion of the term in inappropriate contexts may lead consumers to mistakenly believe in the thermal nature of the services offered.
With this ruling, the TAR annulled a previous decision to archive the case and ordered the Competition and Market Authority to reopen the investigation. This represents an important step in the fight against “fake thermal baths,” thus protecting both consumers and legitimate facilities. The President of Terme di Sirmione, Cav. Lav. Giacomo Gnutti, underscored the importance of recognizing the therapeutic benefits of thermal waters and the necessity of ensuring transparency in communication, enabling customers to make informed choices regarding their well-being.
