By Ayman Adly /Staff Reporter



Legislation concerning consumer protection in the country will be reviewed based on the actual market scenario to plug loopholes, if any, a senior official has pointed out.
Inaugurating the Consumer Protection Department (CPD)’s exhibition of “original and counterfeit items” at Souq Waqif yesterday, CPD director Sheikh Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani highlighted the steps taken to effectively deal with the issue of counterfeiting in commercial items.
The department has already introduced various electronic systems and software to enhance the capabilities of its inspectors to combat commercial counterfeit. Similarly, a number of major consumer protection projects will be announced in time, including those targeting the automobile sector. Also, it has introduced e-systems to obtain permits for announcing discounts at commercial outlets.
“Generally, we have been doing well and there is constant co-operation with companies that possess registered trademarks so as to equip CPD inspectors with the proper skills to spot counterfeit items. We also conduct regular co-ordinated inspection campaigns with the stakeholders to ensure compliance with the law,” he added.
Sheikh Jassim, however, said the department faces some challenges in its bid to exercise full control over the market with regard to the issue of counterfeit products.
These include the need to increase the number of trained staff and inspectors and modify existing laws according to the prevailing market scenario.
On the possibility of counterfeit food products being available in the market, he said this may not mean that the item in question is not fit for human consumption or poses a risk to public health; it, however, constitutes a violation as it involves the theft of some other brand’s trademark.
The exhibition, which will run until Thursday from 4.30pm to 10pm, aims to instruct the public on proper shopping habits and how to exercise their rights.
“We hold similar exhibitions all year round at different destinations, displaying the original items alongside the counterfeit ones, to inform people on how to distinguish between them on the shelves,” said Mohamed Khamis al-Ubaidly, CPD exhibitions co-ordinator.
While admitting that there are some concerns, he said there is a need for constant updates and developments.
“Counterfeiters devise new methods every day and when we spot some, they introduce other methods. So, we keep acquiring new skills through constant training in co-ordination with the parties concerned,” he added, stressing the need for identifying original items and avoiding the counterfeit ones - especially among industrial tools and electrical appliances as these involve big risk factors.
Nasser Rashid al-Malki, head of consumer awareness at CPD, said the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to promote awareness efforts and reach out to the people.
The exhibition features a special corner for families and children, where the latter are given colouring books on related topics and other gifts.