Businesses appeal NCCP ‘false advertising’ decision
THE Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) said two of the 19 companies it had recently instructed to amend advertising considered fraudulent had appealed the decision of the National Commission for Consumer Protection (NCCP).
The appeals followed recent meetings between the 19 companies and the NCCP.
The NCCP issued a decision requiring them to revise their advertising content, noting that failure to comply will result in legal action.
CCF director-general Phan Oun told The Post on January 8 that 17 of the 19 firms had admitted their errors and amended their advertisements.
Two of the companies did not agree with the decision and had appealed to the NCCP. The NCCP will review its decisions and issue a second order in the near future.
“We identified 19 companies that were not complying with the law. The NCCP met with them and issued a decision on advertising that we considered fraudulent under consumer protection law,” Oun said.
“Two of the companies have filed complaints, which they are entitled to do under the law. The NCCP will evaluate their complaints, according to legal procedure,” he added.
Oun was unable to confirm the names of the companies that violated the law, but said a second decision would be issued soon.
The consumer protection law was promulgated by the King in 2019, with the aim of ensuring consumer protection and promoting honest competition.
Oun said that under the law, the CCF or NCCP must take action with regards to any act that deceives consumers, whether intentional or unintentional.
The law stipulates that any violation of its provisions is subject to penalties or fines, including a written warning, suspension or revocation of a commercial registration certificate or license, fines, and even imprisonment.
Written warnings or suspension or revocation of a license are the responsibility of the NCCP, while fines are the responsibility of the investigating officer. Payment of fines ends the complaint.
Article 40 of the law says that failure to pay fines means the investigating officer will build a case and send it to court.