​During inspection campaigns to ensure the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with Law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer ProtectionMinistry of Economy and Commerce cracks down on 91 violations in April
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce intensified its inspection campaigns in April 2018 to ensure the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection. The inspection campaigns come within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities in a bid to crack down on price manipulation and to protect consumer rights.
The campaign by the ministry’s inspectors across Qatar resulted in 91 violations including missing price tags, failing to issue invoices in Arabic, failing to clearly specify the data, characteristics and prices of services, Failing to offer service warranty for an appropriate period, refunding customers or reoffering the service, failing to refund customers, offering discounts without obtaining the necessary permit; and failing to comply with the mandatory bulletin of vegetables and fruits prices.
The penalties included administrative closures and fines ranging between QR 5,000 and QR 30,000 in line with the applicable consumer protection laws. The following is a breakdown of the type and number of violations registered in April 2018:
 ViolationNumberFailing to display the price of the product or service14
 
Failing to clearly display prices
 8Failing to display prices in Arabic5
 
Lack of invoices2Failing to issue detailed invoices1Failing to issue invoices in Arabic19Non-compliance with the prices of fruits and vegetables bulletin5Failing to clearly display service prices, labels and descriptions7Failing to display all product-related data1
Non-compliance with sales statements before and during the discount period
 1Failing to offer service warranty for an appropriate period, refunding customers or reoffering the service in an appropriate manner8Failing to display product data and descriptions in Arabic3Charging consumers higher than the advertised price1
Offering discounts without obtaining a permit from competent departments
 4Offering promotions without obtaining a permit from competent departments3
An increase in the sale price of Australian meat slaughtered locally
 1
Increase in prices without obtaining the approval of the competent department
 3False or misleading description, advertising or labels3Expired products1
Products that fail to meet approved standards and specifications
 1Total91
 
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law 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 that will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
The Ministry urged all consumers to report violations to the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department through the following channels:
– Call Center: 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