NCC calls for consumer and vendor awareness before MRP labelling

KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has drawn the government's attention to issues regarding the implementation of maximum retail price (MRP) and labelling. A delegation from the NCC, led by its Vice President Deepak Shrestha, suggested to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, that MRP and labelling should only be implemented after both consumers and vendors are made aware.

A statement issued by the NCC says that it is the constitutional right of consumers to receive quality goods and services. To prevent consumers from being deprived of this right and to increase awareness on every aspect of the market and goods, publicity and awareness programmes should be advanced. However, without advancing such programmes, the current steps taken by the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection have put law-abiding industrialists and businesses in a disadvantageous position.

The NCC stated that the notice issued by the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, under section 6 of the Consumer Protection Act 2075 (2018), to include MRP label on all domestic and imported goods, along with the department's current market monitoring and unnecessary actions, will further deteriorate the already sluggish and worsening industrial environment.

Even though there was an agreement to resolve the current controversial issues regarding labelling and MRP through mutual discussion after publicising them among consumers and traders, the NCC said that the department has been unnecessarily threatening entrepreneurs and businesses, contrary to that agreement.

The NCC has also urged the department to stop threatening unnecessarily and penalising entrepreneurs and businesses. The NCC asserted that it would not support any illegal or unauthorised actions taken by any trader or business.