Shoura Council members have called for a law to protect consumers and to punish those who import fake goods with imprisonment for a maximum of two years, as well as a fine totaling 10 percent of the whole value of the goods sold illegally.

The suggestion was made by a body of advisers comprising Thamer Al-Ghashyan, Jubran Arishi, Hatem Al-Marzouqi, Hanan Al-Ahmadi, Zuhair Al-Harithi, Ghazi bin Zaqer and Yahya Al-Samaan. The Economic Committee supported this important move. The committee pointed out that the suggested law emphasized the importance of putting into practice the Commercial Cheating Law, and would focus on activating control apparatuses that are currently responsible for preventing the spread of fake goods.

The committee noted that the suggestion is in line with the government’s development plan to protect consumers and their purchasing rights. The plan has three components, the first of which is the enlisting of multiple government authorities concerned with consumer protection, and supporting cooperation between these bodies. The second focuses on the suitability of the organizational arrangements to deal with such consumer issues and their adjustment when they are found to be lacking. The third component is concerned with the extent of the effectiveness of the Consumer Protection Society, and is similarly concerned with exploring how this society can be activated fully across the Kingdom.

The draft law seeks to institutionalize more regular rules to protect consumers, and to enforce stricter laws to prevent commercial cheating. Such a law would also extend legal protection to investors, contractors and service providers.

The law will monitor the movement of prices and limit their increase, in addition to maintaining competition and fighting monopolies of the market.

Suggested penalties in the consumer protection system will be set at a maximum of two years and a fine of between SR5,000 and SR50,000.

 
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