Adopted in 2005 the law to protect consumers remains empty words or a mere virtual reality

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report today on the law to protect consumers noting that despite various revisions on the law that was initially decreed in 2005, with the last amendments approved last April, many aspects of this law are still not applied.  This is particularly so since the consumers’ court has yet to have a official venue, the National Council to Protect Consumers does not convene meeting and the law enforcement mechanisms have yet to be issued. The newspaper also noted that the law still requires several legal implementation mechanisms to become operational.  The Ministry of Economy and Trade simply issued one organizational decree in 2011 regarding the setting up of a special register for consumers’ association.  Furthermore, , and despite the fact the announcement made by Minister Hakim, the Consumers’ Court remains inactive since its set up in 2005. The newspaper also adds that the National Council has met only once or twice since it was created in 2005.
Parallel to that, the department to protect consumers within the Ministry has put in place a number of communication tools supposedly accessible to consumers and which allow them to monitor the market, raise consumer awareness and inform them of their rights and responsibilities, notably using the hotline (1739), the social media and the Ministry’s website http://www.economy.gob.lb. However, and according to citizen Joe Gharib who called the hotline after discovering and reporting that a water gallon he bought contains bacteria, and despite the fact that his complain was registered and he was sent an acknowledgement of receipt from the relevant Ministry employee, no follow up act ever ensued. Gharib concluded that he should have opted for a judicial course to address his complaint rather then contact the department.

Source: Al-Akhbar June 5, 2014