Influx illegal products concerns commission

Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is concerned over the influx of illegal products being imported as well as manufactured locally in Lae.
Chief executive officer Paulus Ain personally checked and saw for himself the extent of this problem yesterday.
These products are selling cheaply in shops and streets without complying with Government business regulations while posing health risks to consumers.
Several manufacturing activities have been occurring illegally without complying with relevant laws.
Ain said these illegal activities occured under the eyes of Lae City Authority officers, who had been compromising with Asian manufacturers and shop owners over the years.
He found a packet of fake Nescafe Coffee similar to that packed and distributed by Nestle (PNG) Ltd.
Ain and his officers also confiscated several brands of tinned fish, liquor and Joymax 500ml Coke.
The illegal products slip unnoticed into local markets with foreign contents and non-English language labels, but are selling cheaply while the prices of genuine products remain higher.
Ain said the illegal products lured poor parents and children to buy them as they were cheaper than genuine products.
“This is a health issue,” he said.
“Health inspectors in Lae need to get out there to check shops to prevent the health risks and protect consumer’s demand.”
Ain said the city authority needed to wake up and check shop shelves, investigate point of entry, and compliance with business licenses.
He said the ICCC upheld Section 106 of ICCC Act 2002 to ensure consumers’ interest was protected at all costs.
“I won’t feel intimidated and fear anyone,” Ain said.
“I will do anything to protect the interest of the Government and consumers.”