Wednesday 1 January 2025
The Court of First Instance in Rustaq recently ruled against a commercial establishment specializing in vehicle spare parts for violating the Consumer Protection Law issued under Royal Decree No. 66/2014. The court imposed a fine of OMR 1,300 on the establishment for its violations.
The case began when the Consumer Protection Department in South Batinah Governorate (Rustaq) received a complaint from a customer who had purchased four "original" vehicle brakes. After using the brakes, the consumer discovered they were not of the required quality, specifications, or measurements. Efforts to resolve the issue directly with the establishment proved unsuccessful, leading the consumer to file a formal complaint with the department.
An investigation was conducted, and a specialized expert was assigned to examine the case. The expert's report revealed that the brake box explicitly stated the parts were manufactured in Korea and intended for use only within Korea. Furthermore, it was determined that the brakes were unsuitable for hot climates and failed to meet Gulf specifications.
The investigation confirmed that the establishment had failed to provide services properly and did not adhere to warranty conditions, thereby violating Article 39 in relation to Article 23 of the Consumer Protection Law. These violations carry penalties including imprisonment for up to one year, fines ranging from OMR 100 to OMR 2,000, or both.
The court found the establishment guilty of non-compliance with standard or recognized specifications and of delivering a product different from what was agreed upon. The first defendant was fined OMR 200 for two misdemeanors, while the second defendant was fined OMR 1,100 for two misdemeanors.