Qatar law upholds rights of consumers
By Sarmad Qazi
Gulf Times
Qatar’s legal framework allows consumers to form societies and forums aimed at spreading awareness among buyers and protecting their rights, experts said yesterday.
The 30-article consumer protection law issued in May 2008 encompasses the consumers’ rights and suppliers’ obligations and encourages consumers to ascertain their rights to ensure that the goods and services they receive are genuine and safe.
“Consumers may form societies in order to spread awareness of their rights and help the public at large in economising on spending on goods and services,” Article 4 notes.
“This can also be of help in building a rapport with the suppliers of goods and services and convey their views to the officials concerned,” it adds.
It has been noticed that in the absence of awareness, consumers in the country often call up newspaper offices to complain about their grievances. Some of them approach the chamber of commerce.
A copy of the law provided to Gulf Times by Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, director of Consumer Protection Department (CPD) at the Ministry of Business and Trade, states that all consumers in Qatar can seek full information on purchased products without any hindrance.
Articles 5 through 17 detail the obligations of the suppliers, with particular emphasis on sales and promotion of products dubious in nature.
“No supplier shall try to promote or sell any product which is fake or not fit for use. It is also not permissible to sell any item that has crossed its expiry date,” the law states.
Additionally, every product in the country should display in Arabic on its wrapper full details of the product, including the dates of production and expiry, and the price. The information can also appear in any other foreign language, besides Arabic.
“No supplier shall try to hoard or manipulate the price of any goods and should provide full information to the consumer on the maintenance and back-up service available for the product.”
It is also mandatory for suppliers of goods and services to ensure the availability of spare parts.
Those not following the legal bindings risk the chance of facing jail as well as fines.
“A person violating this law may be imprisoned for a maximum of two years and may pay a penalty ranging from QR5,000 to QR50,000,” the law warns.
Repeat offenders will be subjected to increased penalties ranging from QR15,000 to QR100,000.
Meanwhile, the CPD is reviewing the current law to broaden its scope and reach.
“Work on amending the law is in progress and the draft will be presented to the minister soon,” Sheikh Jassim had told Gulf Times recently.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Protection Department has ordered a hypermarket to pay a fine of QR30,000 for the discrepancy found in the price of an item as given on its rate tag and the amount shown on the screen of the bar code machine at the cashier, says a report in Arrayah daily. Such discrepancies are punishable under Article 10 of the Consumer Protection Law of 2008.