Commerce Ministry issues 1,398 citations during consumer protection campaigns
Arabic labeling, missing prices top violations in July
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recorded 1,398 violations in July as part of its ongoing inspection campaigns aimed at ensuring businesses comply with market regulations and protecting consumer rights.
The violations were detected through field inspections, monitoring campaigns and complaints received by the ministry’s Commercial Control Department.
Authorities said the efforts are part of a broader push to strengthen market oversight and ensure transparency in commercial activities.
Among the violations, 15 cases were related to breaches of the cash payment ban decision.
These included violations by domestic worker recruitment offices and companies, health institutes, salons, clubs, pest control companies, private pharmacies, gold and precious metal traders, as well as hospitals and private healthcare facilities.
The highest number of violations (212 cases) involved businesses failing to use Arabic in their commercial dealings.
The ministry also recorded 145 violations for not displaying product prices and 95 cases of misleading information about goods, including their type, origin, contents or expiry dates.
Inspectors found 71 businesses without clear Arabic notices explaining return and exchange policies, while 65 shops and companies were operating without the required commercial licenses.
Other violations included 57 cases of missing or incorrect product details, including country of origin, and another 57 cases where businesses failed to provide Arabic information on product packaging, containers or display areas.
Inspection teams also detected violations involving false advertisements, unauthorized discounts and promotions, refusal to provide invoices, improper display of food products, counterfeit goods, after-sales service violations, car and spare-parts businesses, subsidised goods, tobacco products, vehicle rental activities and other commercial offences.
The ministry said inspection campaigns will continue across various sectors to ensure compliance with regulations, prevent commercial fraud and safeguard consumers in Kuwait’s markets.
