Ministry cracks down on 107 retail outlets

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Qatar

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry carried out intensive inspection campaigns in February 2022 to monitor the level of supplier compliance (retail outlets) with their obligations stipulated in the laws and Ministerial decisions on consumer protection. The inspections fall within the framework of the Ministrys efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities across Qatar, in a bid to control prices and identity violations so as to protect consumer rights.

The inspection campaigns resulted in the issuance of (107) different violations, including: failure to guarantee that the performed service during a period of time is commensurate with the nature of that service, failure to refund the amount paid by the recipient of the service, or to perform it again in an appropriate manner; failure to write all the explanatory information about the displayed commodity; failure to comply with the mandatory price bulletin of vegetables and fruits; as well as describing a commodity, advertising it, or displaying it in a manner that contains false or deceptive information.

The violations also included making a promotion without obtaining the necessary license from the competent department; failure to display prices; non-compliance with implementing all guarantees related to the commodity; and displaying expired products.

Penalties imposed on retail outlets included administrative closures and fines ranging between QAR 5,000 and QAR 30,000, as per the laws and decisions regulating the work of the Consumer Protection Department.

The Ministry affirmed that it will strictly deal with all those who neglect their obligations under the Consumer Protection Law and its implementing regulations. It stresses that it plans to intensify inspection campaigns to crack down on such practices. It will refer all those who violate the laws and Ministerial decisions regulating the work of the Department to the competent authorities to take appropriate measures against them to protect consumer rights.

The Ministry urged all consumers to report any violations or infringements, and to send complaints and suggestions through Call Centre: 16001, or the Ministry’s social media accounts. (QNA)