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In a wide ranging and surprise inspection campaign on the industrial area, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce managed to crack down on a company selling and promoting counterfeit spare parts (non-genuine) bearing international trademarks.
 
The campaign comes within the framework of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s efforts to monitor markets and economic activity across the country in accordance with laws and regulations related to consumer protection and combating commercial fraud. The campaign also aims at achieving balance between national economic interests on the one hand and consumer interest on the other.
 
The Ministry had received information indicating the existence of companies in the industrial area promoting non-original spare parts that bear international trademarks. The ministry has carried out extensive inspection campaigns during which the employees of one company were caught while unloading spare parts and packaging them in boxes bearing the trademark of international companies with the intention of selling them in the local market.
 
 
Seized counterfeit goods include different spare parts as shown in the following table:
 
  اسم المنتج بالعربيName of the Product in English1.       بلاكاتbugs2.       سير مكينهTiming belt3.       درام ويلDRAM WELL4.       صحن كلتشClutch hub5.       بوستر كلتشBuster Clutch6.       خزان زيتOil tank7.       كمبيوتر جيرComputer gear8.       كلتشClutch9.       مصفاة زيتOil filter
 
Authorities then initiated procedures to examine counterfeit goods at accredited laboratories. The test results confirmed that seized goods are counterfeit and non-genuine.
 
 
The Ministry added that promoting counterfeit and non-conforming spare parts causes serious damage, reduces vehicle life and increases the likelihood of fatal road accidents.
 
Selling counterfeit product is a clear violation of the provisions of Article 6 of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection, which prohibits “the sale, display, promotion and advertisement of any counterfeit or spoiled goods. Goods shall be considered spoiled or counterfeit if they do not conform to with standards, are unusable or expired.”
 
 
Selling counterfeit goods also represents a violation of article (7) of law number (8) of 2008. Article 7 compels suppliers to clearly display on the product’s package the type and nature of the item as well as other relevant data in line with the law’s implementing regulations. The law also compels the display of warning risks pertaining to the use of the product while prohibiting the display of fraudulent descriptions, advertisements and misleading statements.
 
The sale of counterfeit goods also violates article (14) of Ministerial Decree No. (68) of 2012 that outlines regulations for law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection. The decree prohibits “suppliers from describing, advertising, or displaying items using false or deceptive statements. The description, advertisement or presentation of a particular good is considered misleading if it contains a false presentation, statement or allegation that would directly or indirectly create a misleading impression among consumers.”
 
All counterfeit products have been seized until all measures have been taken in accordance with the law. The shop was also penalized and referred to the competent security authorities.
 
 
Violations of law number 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection result in penalties including administrative closures and fines ranging between QR 3000 and QR 1 million.
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law number 8 of 2008 and its regulations and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
 
The ministry urges all consumers to report violations or submit complaints and suggestions through the following channels:
 
– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social networks
         – Twitter MEC_QATAR
         – Instagram MEC_QATAR
– The application of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR