By Alaa Abdel Wanis
Within the framework of efforts by the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) to safeguard the interests of consumers in implementation of the provisions of law No. 67 of 2006 on consumer protection and to enhance the role of the agency in the enforcement of the law and consolidation of the rules necessary for maintaining the consumer’s rights and controlling markets and standards, the agency has referred last week JoVi Tronix Company to the Dokki Prosecution Office for failure to abide by the Consumer Protection Act and not taking into account the interests of consumers.
“Atef Yacoub”, the head of the Consumer Protection Agency, said the referral came because the company refused to replace mobile phones, HTC desire 816 and a LENOVO device claiming that it was repaired. The company also refused to replace a LENOVO device despite its repair three times during the first year of warranty.
While this week, CPA has received information about trading in smuggled cosmetics from unknown sources. As a result, investigation department of CPA was assigned to work in coordination with the inspection department of the Ministry of Supply (MoSIT) to collect information about this. It showed that such products were sold by Al-asdikaa Company, and Awlad Hashim Company in El-Moski. Work groups from CPA, the inspection department of MoSIT, and Ministry of Health were formed and they raided these shops after the legalization of procedures. Under such efforts, 5739 piece of 36 types of products were seized.
The Ministry of Health representatives in this campaign- the pharmacy inspection department- decided that these products are not fit for human consumption, thus they represent a danger when used.
“Yacoub” has also mentioned that they received a complaint from a citizen against “Imtenan Health Shop” regarding selling unregistered and unlicensed nutrition products. After investigations, CPA filed a report to the prosecution for consideration.
Moreover, CPA has referred “Metra computer” to Al-Agouza prosecution office for non-compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and for not taking into account the interests of consumers. The referral came because the company refused to replace flawed Asus tablet, and a Samsung Camera. Upon investigation, the company said regarding the first complaint that it is waiting for the spare parts necessary to repair the device; and regarding the second, it said that the camera was repaired once but the complainant refused to receive it as it is still defected.
“Yacoub” assured that under the Consumer Protection Act these 2 cases represent economic misdemeanors which necessitate referring the company to prosecution.
He assured that CPA will intensify its campaigns on markets to control them; as the Agency is highly concerned with the protection of consumers from harmful practices; in particular the ones that represent peril on their safety and health. This is accomplished through adopting the “prevention is better than cure” policy by applying proactive measures for building consumer awareness and alerting them about the harmful products or commodities; after ensuring the validity of relevant information, in addition to the copycat products from unknown sources that are seized before being sold to consumers.
He called on consumers to contact the agency on hotline 19588 to send their complaints without any financial burdens, or log on to its website WWW.CPA.GOV.EG
