CCP hosts session on disclosing material information on cement bags

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) Thursday organised a stakeholder engagement session on disclosure of “Manufacturing/Packaging and Expiry/Best Before” dates on cement bags.

Saeed Ahmed Nawaz, Member CCP, preside the session. The attendees included representatives from Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), Construction Association of Pakistan, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Lucky Cement, Cherat Cement, Fecto Cement, Fauji Cement, Gharibwal Cement, Kohat Cement, Maple Leaf Cement, Attock Cement, Bestway Cement, among others legal fraternity, real estate sector and academia.

Ahmed Nawaz emphasised urgency of these measures to enhance consumer protection. “The non-disclosure of such material information not only misleads consumers but also poses a significant threat to fair-market principles under competition law, he highlighted”, he said.

During the session, the CCP team also provided an overview of the Act with a particular focus on the significance of packaging and labelling standards for consumer safety. The modalities for implementing CCP’s recommendations as per Policy Note of March 7 2024, were also discussed with the participants.

The industry’s executives said the date of packaging would be made public through “Track & Trace System” of FBR. The representatives of APCMA opined disclosure of such dates could potentially hurt the consumer’s interests.

All other stakeholders agreed the date of packaging and disclaimer about storage requirements and need for re-testing, where necessary, should be clearly mentioned on the cement bags.

The house decided to allow APCMA a period of three weeks to consult its members and apprise the Commission about the future course of action.

“This collaborative effort underscores the CCP’s commitment to ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction by advocating disclosure of material information in product packaging. The Commission remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to new packaging and labelling standards”.