Back-to-school in the UAE: Suppliers warned against price hike, unfair practices
Emirates Consumer Protection Association alerts consumers about their rights
ABU DHABI: With back-to-school shopping peaking, the Emirates Consumer Protection Association (ECPA) has called upon commercial establishments and private schools to commit to providing accurate and transparent information about products and services.
In a statement to the media, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ECPA, Mohammed Khalifa Al Muhairi, stressed on the need for commercial institutions and schools to ensure all support to families, by providing multiple options for supplies at reasonable prices, and see that they are not exploited through exaggerated prices or monopolisation goods that are in high demand.
A special mention has been made with regard to information about the prices of school uniforms and their sources, without obligating parents to purchase them from a specific suppliers.
ECPA has also urged parents to avoid random shopping, compare prices and refrain from overspending.
Al Muhairi advised consumers to make a detailed list of basic needs and allocate sufficient time to make purchases, so they can compare prices in different outlets, whether traditional or e-commerce platforms, and ensure they get good quality products at the right prices.
He also advised consumers to set a budget in advance and stick to it to avoid overspending and enable a safe and fair shopping experience.
Purchasing school supplies requires research and awareness before actually making a purchase. Al Muhairi stressed the need to plan well so that the real needs are assessed and purchase of goods through “fake offers” or at exaggerated prices is avoided.
What the law says
The Consumer Protection Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023 amending Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 regarding Consumer Protection) protects consumer rights so that they get quality goods and services at the right price. The law also encourages healthy consumption patterns. Privacy and security of consumer data is protected its use for promotional and marketing purposes is prohibited.
The provisions of this law apply to all goods and services within the state, as well as its free zones, and any related operations carried out by the supplier, advertiser or commercial agent, including those carried out through e-commerce methods, provided that the supplier of the goods or service is registered and licensed by relevant authorities in the UAE.
Al Muhairi stressed on the rights of consumers to file complaints and obtain compensation in the event that they are subjected to any exploitation or commercial fraud in accordance with Article (24) of Federal Law No. (15) of 2020.
He called on parents to report any violations they may encounter during their school shopping spree, whether related to the quality of products or their prices. The Emirates Consumer Protection Authority is committed to following up on these complaints and ensuring that the competent authorities take necessary action to protect the rights of consumers, he added.
He said that the effective implementation of these directives and laws contributes to achieving a safe and fair shopping experience for all members of society.
Role of ECPA
ECPA was established in 1987 in accordance with Federal Law No. 6 of 1974 and its amendments by Federal Law of 1981. It is a public benefit association affiliated with the Ministry of Community Development. Since its establishment, the association has been working to provide its services free of charge to the public throughout the UAE. It seeks to provide consumers with necessary protection by educating them about their rights, receiving complaints, verifying them and following up on them with competent authorities. The aim is protect consumers from all types of commercial fraud.
Consumer rights
- Access to a suitable and safe environment for purchasing a product or receiving a service.
- Obtain correct information about goods and services.
- Awareness of obligations.
- Choose the most appropriate product and service available in the markets according to requirements.
- Obtain fair compensation for damages to him or his property resulting from the purchase or use of goods or services.
Suppliers of school supplies are obligated to:
- Protect consumer privacy and data security and not use it for promotional and marketing purposes.
- Respect consumer’s religious values, customs and traditions when providing him with any goods or receiving any service.
- Resolve disputes fairly and quickly.
- Provide consumer with a dated invoice that includes his trade name, address, type of goods, price and quantity, or type of service, price and details, and any other data specified by the executive regulations of this law. The invoice must be in Arabic, and the supplier may add any other language.
- In e-commerce, provide consumer and competent authorities with their names, legal status, addresses, and licensing authorities, as well as comprehensive information in Arabic about the goods or services provided, their specifications, and the terms of contracting, payment and warranty..