To promote consumer rights awareness, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry partnered with Ehsan Centre to deliver an impactful workshop. Ehsan, a Qatar Foundation Social Work Centre that is affiliated with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, played a key role in this initiative, which aimed to equip its members with vital knowledge about their consumer rights, empowering them to make informed and confident purchasing decisions.

The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the Ministry’s Consumer Affairs Department, highlighting its organisational structure and critical functions. These include combating commercial fraud, inspecting factories and retail outlets to ensure product compliance, and managing consumer complaints efficiently.

Key aspects of consumer rights, as outlined in Law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection and its executive regulations, were thoroughly discussed. Participants gained insights into their rights, such as receiving an invoice in Arabic with detailed information about purchased goods or services and contractual protections, including repair or replacement of defective products.

Additionally, the workshop addressed supplier obligations, such as clear pricing, sufficient product information, and avoiding misleading advertisements. It also emphasised key points to be considered when purchasing goods and services, such as the importance of visible pricing, adequate product information — including characteristics, price, and warranty — and ensuring the use of the Arabic language in all advertisements, information, documents, and warranties related to goods and services.

Participants were also briefed on how to submit complaints through the hotline at 16001 or via the Ministry’s social media accounts to ensure the protection of consumer rights.

The session concluded with a hands-on field tour of a shopping centre, where participants took part in proper purchasing techniques and applied the knowledge acquired during the workshop, ensuring a lasting impact.