DED's Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division strengthens inspections; 86% businesses abide by law

The division undertook 15,890 field visits during quarter three in 2009 and reported that 13,091 commercial entities (86%) abide by the laws and regulations of licensing, 963 (6%) received warnings and 1105 (8%) flouted regulations and were fined.

Mr. Mohammed Hilal Al Muroushedi, CEO, Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division, DED, said that most of the repeated violations were advertising signages related to spelling mistakes, not obtaining licences for the boards, not abiding by the standards as per the permit, or putting up extra signages without permit. Adding an activity to a license without taking permission from concerned bodies, distributing stickers without permit and not following the extra working hours permits are also other repeated violations.

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division also received 102 consumer complaints in the third quarter of 2009 of which 69% were solved in two days. Most of the complaints were regarding after-service complaints, not committing to guarantees and announced prices and non-availability of alternative products in case of repair.

The Division also received complaints related to protection of intellectual property rights and infringement of trademark. The division inspected 812 shops of which 722 adhered to laws and regulations, 17 were given warning and 73 were fined for violations.

Some 10,820 goods worth Dhs574, 702 were confiscated. Another 108 stores were inspected on the basis of previous complaints against them and ten of them were found to violate regulations. The Control Section of Promotional Activities at the division inspected 301 promotion and special offers as well as 413 draws; they warned and fined 28 entities for violating laws and regulations related to promotion activities and 173 others for callback requests to adjust their status and cope with the laws and regulations related to promotion activities.

"The DED is committed to launching new initiatives and services to keep pace with the commercial and economic growth of the emirate. The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection division will enhance communication between DED and the trademark owners and consumers to provide adequate protection in the framework of related laws and regulations,"

said Al Muroushedi.

"We are keen to strengthen awareness among traders and consumers by distributing questionnaires and leaflets."

The division conducted field visits in co-operation with Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to check real estate brokerage activity of 1293 entities and the commitment to the RERA's conditions for the activity.

"DED coordinates with other concerned local and federal government bodies to manage all types of commercial counterfeit and manipulation to protect members of the society and upgrade the level of businesses and services in the Emirate," added Mr Al Muroushedi.