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Despite ban, sale of used tyres continues unabated in Oman [Times of Oman](Times of Oman Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Muscat: Although the sale, marketing, display and distribution of used tyres of all sizes has been banned by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), some shops continue to trade in the business of used tyres in a surreptitious manner. The PACP has also prohibited the sale, marketing, display and distribution of tyres that have not been used but were manufactured 24 months earlier. Tyres that have expired though not used and were meant for light vehicles, buses and light trucks have also been banned. In case of tyres meant for heavy trucks, the ban applies to all those tyres that carry a 30-month-old date of production. The Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) has warned tyre shops selling used products that penalties will be strict if they are found violating the ban. The PACP recently arrested 10 tyre sellers in Ibri who were selling used tyres, according to a reliable source at the Authority. "The shops displayed the used tyres in front of their shops and these were meant for sale," said the source. He added that the tyres were seized by an inspection team and those found violating rules were referred to the prosecution for further legal action. "The PACP officials carried out a drive covering all tyre shops to explain the rule and make clear what would amount to violation," said the source. He added that there are still some people who sell used tyres in a hidden way. "The PACP officials are carrying out campaigns to monitor the tyre shops and make sure that everyone is abiding by the ban," said the source. Legal action was initiated against these shops and cases were forwarded to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and trial. Extensive inspection visits on a daily basis are being carried out against many tyre shops by the PACP to ensure that they abide by the rules. In an earlier case, a senior official at the PACP said that one of these tyre shops sold used tyres to a consumer who then complained to the PACP, while the other two were caught red handed by an inspection team when they were trying to sell illegal tyres to customers. The official added that the PACP will not be lenient and will intensify its inspection visits. The official said many tyre shops are abiding by the new decision but inspection campaigns will not stop. A ban on sale, marketing, display and distribution of used tyres of all sizes, imposed by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), came into effect on June 21, 2014, according to a circular issued by the PACP. The circular, citing seven Articles, was sent on May 12, 2014 to the shops engaged in sale and repair of old tyres. The PACP circular includes ban on used tyres of all sizes and tyres of light vehicles as well as buses, light and heavy trucks. The third article of the circular states that it is mandatory for tyre suppliers to provide the consumers with a warranty document for the tyre that should cover a period of not less than one year. The bill for tyres should also have information about the country of manufacture, date of manufacture, type of the tyre, weight, heat endurance degree and the appropriate speed for the tyre. The supplier should also ensure that used and expired tyres are disposed of at allocated dumping locations designated by the competent authorities of the Sultanate of Oman. The sixth article explained that in case of violation, the supplier will be slapped with a fine according to Article 21 of the Consumer Protection Law. Such a fine will not be less than OMR5,000 and the shop would be ordered to shut down and all its stocks will be confiscated. To get in touch: [email protected] (c) 2014 Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |