Kathmandu, Jun. 4
The Nepal Chamber of Commerce has drawn government’s
attention to the issues arising in the implementation of MRP (Maximum Retail
Price) and product labelling.
A delegation from the business body, led by its
Vice-President Deepak Shrestha, submitted a recommendation to the Minister for
Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, on Wednesday, suggesting
that MRP and labelling requirements be enforced only after raising awareness
among both consumers and retailers.
“It is a constitutional right of consumers to access
quality goods and services. To ensure consumers are not deprived of this right,
awareness and publicity efforts related to the market and products must be
advanced," the NCC said in a statement.
However, without moving these efforts forward, the recent
actions taken by the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection
(DoCSCP) have adversely affected legitimate industrialists and traders who
comply with state laws, rules, and regulations, read the statement.
The DoCSCP, in accordance with Section 6 of the Consumer
Protection Act, 2075, has issued a notice requiring all domestic and imported
products to carry labels indicating the MRP. However, according to the NCC, the
current market monitoring and unnecessary punitive actions taken by the
Department are damaging the already fragile industrial environment.
Although there had been an agreement to resolve disputes
regarding MRP and labelling through mutual dialogue after conducting awareness
campaigns among consumers and traders, the NCC noted that the DoCSCP has
instead continued to intimidate entrepreneurs unnecessarily, in violation of
that understanding.
The Chamber has urged an end to the intimidation and
penalisation of entrepreneurs without due cause. Meanwhile, it also made clear
that the NCC will not support any trader or business engaged in illegal or
unauthorised activities.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 June 2025.
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