The surprise inspection campaign was carried out to ensure the compliance of auto garages with the provisions of law Number (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
The exercise comes within the framework of the MEC’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities in the State of Qatar in a bid to offset price manipulation and expose violations pertaining to counterfeit goods and non-conformance with standard specifications.
Storing counterfeit spare parts is a violation of article (7) of law number (8) of 2008. The law stipulates that suppliers of goods shall clearly display on product labels a clear description of goods and their contents and refrain from posting any misleading or false statements.
Penalties for violations of law number (8) of 2008 range between administrative closures and a minimum fine of QR3,000 and up to QR1mn.
Counterfeit spare parts pose great risks to customer safety because they affect the performance of vehicles, leading to disastrous consequences.
The MEC stated it is determined to protect consumer rights and will intensify inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law.
The MEC said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who will take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.
The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels: Hotline: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar