Muscat - The authorities in Oman are planning to intensify market inspections on the market in a bid to crackdown on shops selling fake goods.
According to a senior official in the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), several firms have already been penalised for selling goods and products found not fit for human use.
The police have raided several shops and confiscated a large amount of counterfeit and expired goods which are deemed harmful for public health.
Under the revised regulations, manufacturers and sellers could face penalties ranging from a jail term of up to two years and fines as high as RO 2,000.
Last week, two business establishments were fined RO 1,500 for selling expired products in Al Dhahirah Governorate. Acting on complaints from consumers, PACP officials detected expired shampoos, perfumes and creams in their possession.
Legal proceedings were initiated against the erring shops. While one shop was fined RO 1,000, the other was slapped with an administrative fine of RO 500.
Fake or poor-quality items are available across a range of products, including cosmetics, body creams, shampoos, mobile phones, automobile spare parts, sunglasses, tableware, etc.
Article 2 of Oman’s Consumer Protection Law prohibits producing, manufacturing, offering or distributing counterfeit goods or practicing or attempting to practice deception, publicity or fraud to market such goods by means of advertisements, publications, posters, flyers or any other means.