Over OMR 2,000 fines imposed for consumer rights violations in South Al Batinah

Muscat: The Court of First Instance in the Wilayat of Barka issued five judicial rulings convicting a number of commercial establishments and their owners after it was proven that they had violated the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. (66/2014) and its Executive Regulation, due to their failure to provide services and comply with consumer rights. The cases stemmed from several complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department in Barka from consumers who had dealt with various commercial establishments operating in the automotive, electrical appliances, and furniture sectors.

The violations included failure to issue purchase invoices and failure to respond to requests to repair defects or replace defective goods during the warranty period. Consequently, the affected consumers filed official complaints requesting refunds, replacement of the goods, and compensation for the damages incurred. Upon examining the evidence and facts, the Court concluded that the establishments and their owners were guilty of the misdemeanour of failing to refund, replace, or exchange goods upon the discovery of defects during the warranty period, in accordance with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law.

Accordingly, the Court imposed fines totaling OMR 2,495 on the offenders, with the execution of the penalties suspended subject to the settlement of outstanding obligations.

The convicted parties were also ordered to bear the costs of the criminal proceedings and the fees of the technical experts who examined the defects in the disputed goods.

Furthermore, the Court referred the civil claims submitted by the affected consumers to the competent Civil Court for adjudication.

The Consumer Protection Authority reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing laws and regulations with firmness, emphasizing the importance of businesses issuing invoices to consumers and fully complying with warranty obligations relating to goods and services in order to safeguard consumer rights.