The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined Aqua Solution Ltd Tk 2 lakh for selling water filters through misleading advertisements and announced the temporary suspension of the company’s operations.
The action was taken during a drive at the company’s premises in Mohammadpur Housing Society, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, led by Md Abdus Salam, assistant director of the DNCRP’s Dhaka Divisional Office.
During the inspection, officials examined claims made by the company regarding the country of origin, quality and water purification capacity of its marketed filters, as well as the authenticity of its advertisements.
According to the DNCRP, the company marketed its products as “Taiwanese filters” and “American filters” while claiming that the devices could purify water 100 per cent.
However, an examination of the relevant documents, including evidence of the products’ country of origin and test reports supporting their claimed purification capacity, revealed inconsistencies in several areas, the department said.
Following a review of the information and documents collected during the drive, the company was fined Tk 2 lakh under the Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009, for selling water filters through misleading advertisements. Its operations were also ordered to be suspended temporarily.
During the inspection, officials advised consumers not to be swayed by eye-catching promotional claims and to verify a product’s origin, quality and effectiveness before making a purchase. Consumers were also urged to collect purchase receipts from sellers.
The DNCRP requested consumers who encounter irregularities or fraud in purchasing products to lodge complaints through its hotline, 16121.
The department said such inspections and enforcement drives would continue to maintain market discipline, ensure fair prices and safe and hygienic food, and prevent consumer fraud involving false or misleading advertisements.
