The Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA) received 129 complaints in the 2023-2024 financial year related to inflated prices, defective goods, and deceptive sales practices. According to the authority’s annual report, the office had imposed fines totalling Nu 1.2M and shut down some businesses.
Of the 129 complaints received, more than half were related to breaches of terms and conditions by businesses.
Complaints about unethical business practices followed, accounting for 19 per cent of the total.
Price misrepresentation made up 8 per cent, while 2 per cent were related to pyramid schemes.
Issues such as inadequate product labelling, contaminated goods, and inaccurate weights or volumes each accounted for 1 per cent of the complaints.
Nearly Nu 700,000 was refunded to consumers, along with numerous repairs and product replacements.
Businesses selling expired or unsafe food faced fines exceeding Nu 200,000.
The authority also imposed fines and penalties surpassing Nu 1 M for poor business practices, with some operations shut down for being illegal.
To address these issues and to enhance consumer services, the office plans to improve market surveillance. By allocating resources to monitor high-risk sectors, the authority mentioned that it will ensure more frequent monitoring and promote compliance.
Moreover, it also plans to enhance consumer information by simplifying information about consumer rights, responsibilities, and market trends through the use of digital platforms.
Kelzang Chhophyel & Sangay Chozom
Edited by Sangay Chezom
