ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has suggested changes to the Pakistan Standard Specification for each of the five varieties of cement in order to improve consumer protection and guarantee transparency.
The CCP has suggested requiring cement packaging to disclose the manufacturing and expiration dates in a policy note that was released on Tuesday.
The CCP emphasized the importance of this advice by pointing out that cement loses strength after 4 to 6 weeks of storage due to its hygroscopic nature. Cement bags that don’t have manufacturing and expiration dates provide a risk to customers. It could result in the acquisition of out-of-date goods and jeopardize the reliability of building projects.
The policy paper highlights the necessity of harmonizing Pakistan’s standards with global labeling practices in order to guarantee uniformity and openness in the local market. In order to protect the interests of local customers, it also seeks to address the discrepancy between labeling standards for import and export.
In Pakistan, at the moment, all varieties of cement follow the packaging guidelines established by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
It is anticipated that requiring production and expiration date disclosures will empower customers, encourage brand rivalry, and simplify inventory management procedures.
The CCP opposes the deletion of important information from cement packaging as misleading advertising and supports posting expiration dates on products as a legal requirement to safeguard consumers’ rights and encourage fair competition in the market. The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) and its members have received an advice asking them to prioritize consumer safety and happiness by adhering to the new labelling regulations.
Overdue marking fees
It could be interesting to bring out the fact that, as of June 2022, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology still owed over Rs4.5 billion since the cement sector had been neglecting to pay the PSQCA the marking fee for the preceding fifteen years.
