The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) caught some 76 violations committed by various suppliers last month. The erring outlets were either shuttered or levied fines up to QR30,000.
MEC officials carried out intensive inspection drives, in October, to monitor the compliance of the suppliers with the obligations stipulated by law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection. The drives led by inspectors from the ministry in various regions of the state, found 76 violations. The drives come as part of ministry’s bid to crack down on price manipulation and protect consumer rights by monitoring markets and commercial activities.
The penalties issued by MEC to the violating outlets included closures and fine starting from QR5000 to QR 30000, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Consumer Protection Anti-Commercial Fraud department.
Majority of the violations were registered as suppliers failed to identify service or product information clearly. This includes 14 violations of failing to identify service information including its advantages, characteristics and prices, 12 violations registered for failing to include all the information related to the displayed product and 11 for using false and deceptive information when describing, advertising and displaying the product.
Other violations included failing to announce product/service prices , selling and displaying expired products, failing to comply with the prices of fruits and vegetables stated in the daily bulletin, poor storage and reducing the weight of local and Arabic bread.
MEC stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations, and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
