Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD” seized more than 8000 packages of counterfeit cleaning products and disinfectants during its periodic inspection campaigns on sales outlets in order to ensure the safety of the markets. These products were traded as original cleaning materials and disinfectants, but the Commercial Officers at SEDD confiscated them before they harm the individuals in the community.

SEDD clarified that such efforts fall with the concerns of Commercial Control and Protection Department at SEDD and its plans to protect markets and economic establishments, defend consumers, and preserve the rights of trademark owners.

Additionally, SEDD affirmed that it would never be negligent in protecting the emirate's markets from this category that works to achieve material gains in the current circumstances at the expense of others and their safety.  Therefore, it will continue to carry on its role in protecting the society from those who try to inflict harm on its members and achieve quick and illegal profits.

Commenting on that, Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director of Commercial Control and Protection Department at SEDD, said that the Department and its team work continuously to supervise the markets. This is done to ensure the safety and protect the society from commercial fraud and legal violations. Likely, he emphasized that the monitoring campaigns carried out by the Department on the existing markets and establishments are continuing to ensure that everyone adheres to the applicable regulations and provisions and to provide the best services to consumers.

He also pointed out that SEDD organizes extensive and continuous inspection campaigns throughout the year on markets and commercial centers with the aim of protecting and educating consumers about their rights and duties, and informing them of the harms of counterfeit goods. This is considered as one of the most important awareness programs that fall within the Department's strategic plans. These campaigns are held in order to ensure the interaction with society and to protect individuals from the exploitation of some merchants. Likely, it reflects SEDD’s concerns to ensure the provision of the finest services to citizens and residents in the emirate.

Furthermore, Al Suwaidi added that the inspection campaigns are continuing to confiscate counterfeit goods and hold violators accountable. This falls within SEDD’s concerns to create a fair consumer and investment environment that supports economic growth, imposing deterrent penalties on violators to reduce malpractices related to commercial fraud, in order to achieve balance between the rights of consumers, merchants and brands, to create a competitive and safe economic climate.

Moreover, Al Suwaidi called on all consumers to communicate with SEDD in case of facing any violation through its multiple channels, whether by direct contact via call centers 80080000, or by communicating via “Sharjaheconomic” social media account, or by visiting the consumer protection website www.shjconsumer.ae.