In order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, and at the same time maintain a healthy business environment and market stability, in recent times, the departments, agencies, and member units of the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association have actively participated and carried out practical activities.
Market management forces regularly monitor and inspect business activities, combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, and protect consumer rights.
Determined to prevent consumers from losing money and suffering harm due to buying and using smuggled, counterfeit, imitation, or substandard goods, the Provincial Market Management Department - the standing agency of the Provincial Consumer Protection Association - is strengthening inspections and handling violations.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nghien, Director of the Provincial Market Management Department, stated: "The task of inspecting and controlling against the transportation and trading of smuggled goods, prohibited goods, the production and trading of counterfeit and substandard goods, intellectual property violations, and food safety violations is always a top priority for the Department. Last year, we conducted 899 inspections, detected and handled 656 violations, and collected over 3.6 billion VND for the state budget. Market management forces confiscated and destroyed thousands of infringing products such as confectionery, cigarettes, cosmetics, motorcycle parts, watches, clothing, and footwear of all kinds, with a total value of nearly 500 million VND. We also disseminated and distributed 8,000 leaflets to educate the public on the rights and obligations of organizations and individuals in protecting consumer rights." Providing guidance, advice, support, and recommendations to help people recognize and distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods, as well as the methods used in producing and trading counterfeit and substandard goods, goods that infringe intellectual property rights, and goods that do not meet food safety and hygiene standards.
Over the past period, the Department of Industry and Trade has made efforts to implement solutions to stabilize the market: ensuring sufficient supply of goods, preventing speculation, hoarding, and illegal price increases. The Department has also mobilized forces to inspect and control conditional business activities and counterfeit goods, provided information and guidance on handling counterfeit goods, and guided the Provincial Consumer Protection Association in resolving complaints and denunciations from consumers.
Ms. To Thi Huong Lan, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade and Chairwoman of the Provincial Consumer Protection Association, stated: In 2023, the Department of Industry and Trade received 2,700 notifications and promotional programs from businesses and establishments, and also monitored a number of these programs. The Department implemented a concentrated promotional month program throughout the province, bringing practical benefits to consumers.
The Department of Industry and Trade has established 7 points of sale for Vietnamese goods in various districts, contributing to the protection of consumer rights. In the photo: A point of sale for Vietnamese goods at the Phu Son business establishment in Hung Ha district.
Given the increasing diversity and abundance of goods on the market, both in quantity and variety, the Sub-Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality (under the Department of Science and Technology) regularly conducts market surveys and takes samples to assess the quality of various products and goods, including confectionery, beer, wine, soft drinks, milk, electrical and electronic equipment, gasoline, oil, and food containers. This allows for the timely detection and correction of violations. The Sub-Department also collaborates with relevant agencies to conduct inspections and checks on standards and quality for product groups such as gasoline, oil, gold, and silver in production and circulation on the market.
To help women become "wise consumers," over the years, the Provincial Women's Union has directed its branches at all levels to proactively coordinate with the Fatherland Front, relevant departments, organizations, and businesses to promote awareness among members, women, and the public about consumer protection. Women actively participate in the program to bring Vietnamese goods to rural areas, opening women's stalls with the criteria of "Safe - Delicious - Healthy - Convenient" to serve the people, which also contributes to preventing smuggled, counterfeit, and substandard goods from circulating freely in the market.
The Provincial Consumer Protection Association currently has 175 members. Besides state management agencies and organizations, businesses are also enthusiastically participating in and supporting consumer protection through various means. Member businesses proactively improve and enhance product quality and design, reduce costs, and implement promotional programs in diverse forms. During peak periods, each business prepares an abundant supply of goods, preventing shortages that could lead to price fluctuations and market disruptions.
Ms. Dinh Thi Hong Thanh, Director of Go! supermarket in Thai Binh, said: "We always strictly adhere to the regulations on operating hours; maintain approximately 40,000 product codes with sufficient quantity to meet the consumer needs of the people and have a suitable import plan to ensure quality and prevent localized shortages during peak periods. Every month, the supermarket has promotional programs to stimulate consumer spending, providing shopping opportunities and many practical benefits for consumers."
Khac Duan
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