CCPC Warns Business Outlets Against Excessive Pricing of Sanitary Products for Prevention of Covid-19

2020-03-20

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is concerned with and would like to warn all individuals and businesses who are excessively pricing the cost of sanitary products for the prevention of Covid-19.

From the preliminary investigations conducted by the Commission, it has been noted that some deceitful traders across the country are taking advantage of the current situation to overcharge on sanitary products like masks, gloves and hand sanitizers to the detriment of consumers.

The Act provides for the Commission’s functions under Section 5 being among others to : review the trading practices pursued by enterprises doing business in Zambia; investigate unfair trading practices and unfair contract terms and impose such sanctions as may be necessary; act as a primary advocate for competition and effective consumer protection in Zambia and do all such acts and things as are necessary, incidental or conducive to the better carrying out of its functions under this Act. 

The Commission thus wishes to warn all perpetrators that such unjustified high pricing of these essential products is unlawful as provided for under the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No. 24 of 2010 and will not hesitate to impose necessary sanctions on erring enterprises.

The Commission is thus appealing to all business outlets to desist from charging unreasonably high prices as this is against the law and affects public health. In view of the foregoing pandemic, the Commission through its inspectors across the country will ensure that all individuals and companies exacerbating such conduct are identified and punished.

Although hand sanitisers are one of the convenient products of maintaininghygiene during this pandemic, consumers are advised to use other hygiene products such as hand wash or any other anti-bacterial soaps which are readily available in most retail outlets around the country. The Commission also encourages and advises consumers to report
any of the enterprises engaging in such conduct in order for the Commission to take necessary action using ththe Commission’s Toll-Free Line 5678 on all mobile networks or by email: zcomp@ccpc.org.zm during working hours. Consumers are further urged to ensure that they obtain receipts for all such transactions and that the said receipts should be safely kept and submitted to the Commission for investigation purposes. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the Commission) is a Statutory Body whose existence has been continued under the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (the Act) No. 24 of 2010 following the repeal and replacement of the Competition and Fair Trading Act, 1994. The objective of the Act places responsibility on the Commission to safeguard and promote competition and protect consumers against unfair trade practices.

Rainford Mutabi

Rainford Mutabi