Ministry officials during an inspection.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce said in a press release yesterday that inspection campaigns on shops located in a number of shopping malls resulted in the seizure and issuance of 7 violations, which include non-display in Arabic and non-compliance with the licenses of offers and discounts.
The Ministry also revoked the license of three shops violated the terms of license for offers and discounts stipulated to it by the Ministry.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has carried out a surprise inspection campaign targeting retails outlets across a number of malls in a bid to monitor the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with their obligations under law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection and ministerial decision No. 5 of 1984 on discounted sale.
The inspection campaigns come within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities as well as to crack down on price manipulation and uncover violations in a bid to protect consumer rights.
The inspection campaigns resulted in 7 fines for missing Arabic labels and violations of discounts and promotion licenses, which represent a violation of article (7) of law No.8 of 2008 and Ministerial Decision No. 5 of 1984 on discounted sales.
The Ministry withdrew the license of 3 outlets that have violated the terms of the discount and promotion license granted by the Ministry. Inspectors from the Ministry ensures that retails outlets comply with the terms of the license.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce stressed that retail outlet owners should take the initiative and adopt without any further delay the “Shop with Confidence” mark when it comes to announcing discounts and promotional offers.
The mark should be placed on invoices presented to customers, as it represents clear proof to consumers that the concerned shop has obtained the required license from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and that promotions and discounts are being offered in line with applicable laws and legal regulations.
The Ministry warned that retail shops which have obtained a license should offer real promotions and refrain from fake and misleading discounts and practices that harm consumers. The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown 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.
The Ministry urges consumers to compare the product price before and after the discount and promotional period. Consumers are also entitled to inspect the product label for the discount percentage as well as the actual and discounted price. Consumers should also ask for a detailed invoice with the actual and discounted price.
