Higher Committee for Consumer Protection Discusses e-consumer Protection Initiatives During 3rd Meeting This Year
H.E. Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economic climate, chaired the third conference of the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection (HCCP) for 2017. Participants reviewed numerous strategies for establishing and promoting consumer security in the UAE's markets.
The session was kept in Dubai in the presence of H.E. Eng. Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, the Ministry's Undersecretary for Economic Matters; H.E. Humaid Bin Butti Al Muhairi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Commercial Matters and Consumer Protection Industry; and Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the Consumer Defense Division. Other federal and local officials of the different emirates creating part of the Committee attended as well.
The HCCP followed up on developments in the implementation of the recommendations forwarded throughout its previous conferences. Amongst the important topics discussed were the reports of the financial departments on using Arabic in dining establishments and exclusive clinics; the application of controls for the Arabization of billings and function functions; the prevention of surcharges on bank card payments; and the adoption of the last variation of the standardized contracts for electronic products and electrical appliances.
The program also touched on the advancement of a legal and regulative system for the nation's e-commerce activities. Topics associated with consumer defense, keeping pace with rapid growths around, and the significance of taking on best global practices were discussed.
H.E. Eng. Al Mansoori claimed: "The Higher Committee for Consumer Security is focusing on the growth of tools for enhancing consumer security and making sure the most effective industrial practices out there. Enhancing consumer self-confidence has a straight impact on the security and advancement of business in the country."
H.E. Al Mansoori added that the growing variety of Internet customers, the expansion of e-markets and the rising popularity of e-shopping requires the fostering of policies and controls that ensure better guideline of transactions, the safety and security of the goods, and compliance with the specifications effective within the UAE while ensuring the protection of consumer rights.
Throughout the conference, the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) supplied a discussion on its function in supporting shopping and numerous markets in the nation in taking advantage of the power of details and interactions innovation (ICT). It showcased a variety of efforts being applied hereof. The Authority additionally forwarded two propositions for improving e-consumer security devices: an electronic platform for reporting and reacting to e-consumer protection grievances, and the arrangement of 3rd party warranty services in between the customer and the e-seller.
The Minister applauded the TRA's initiatives and suggested that its proposals be examined in control with the numerous bodies concerned with digital commerce. He additionally guided the assessment and growth of current shopping legislation in feedback to the wide market modifications taking place.
The Ministry of Economys Department of Consumer Protection also reviewed a field study on the applicability of the Arabic language in the commercial and solution fields covering 473 companies and establishments from the different emirates. The results showed that the use of the Arabic language in function desks, telephone call centers and customer services was at 87 percent. The Arabization of billings was 84.3 per cent in these locations and 76.1 percent in the example dining establishments.
H.E. Al Mansoori further highlighted the requirement for all the qualified authorities to inform the industrial and solution markets of the value of using the Arabic language in their invoicing system, function locations, call facilities, and restaurant solutions. He guided dining establishments satisfying 3- to first-class hotels and malls to give Arabic speakers with the goal of guaranteeing 100 per cent positioning of at least one Arabic speaker by the beginning of 2018.
The meeting likewise assessed the final variation of the merged agreements for electrical and electronic products covering sales, warranty and upkeep. The Board recommended the approval of the contract kinds in preparation for roll-out. The Minister also advised that activities be required to make the application of the agreements mandatory by the start of following year, clarifying that this will certainly make sure the protection of buyers of electronic and electrical products while offering the passions of the industry.
Additionally, the Board talked about updates on the level of conformity with the required of not enforcing added fees on products and solutions paid for via credit cards in outlets. The Minister emphasized the need for constant follow-ups on this problem.
The Committee also examined the most recent developments on discussions between agents of the Consumer Cooperative Union and fowl farm officials concerning the needs of ranch proprietors with respect to rack leasing prices and physical placement in cooperatives and electrical outlets in order to improve the competition of residential fowl products.
For its part, the Dubai Economy assessed its experiences in taking care of customer complaints.
The meeting concluded with reports on customer grievances, their circulation and categories; residential inflation prices; and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report on global food costs.
