Stop buying fake goods: Official

By CLARISSA MOI
THE National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (Nisit) has urged the public to refrain from buying counterfeit or substandard products sold in the market.
Director-general Victor Gabi said Nisit was aware of the consequences and damages that were associated with the purchasing substandard products.
Commenting on the influx of counterfeit batteries into the country, Gabi said Nisit was in the process of setting up a technical working committee to work with relevant stakeholders including government organisations, industry associations, academic institutions and the private sector.
He said this technical working committee would introduce a recognised international standard for adoption as a PNG standard for consumer batteries in the country.
Gabi noted that Nisit was authorised under its Act of 1993, section 5 (1)(a) to safeguard the country against the dumping and supply of unsafe, unhealthy and inferior or substandard products and to assure Papua New Guinea of quality products and services.
“We would like to advise the various regulators and the consumers in general that we have received numerous complaints from the general public on the issue of counterfeit batteries in circulation,” he said.
“At this stage, it is likely that the batteries are of the primary battery type or dry cell as commonly known in Papua New Guinea.
“An example of primary (dry cell) batteries are size D, AAA and AA batteries.”
Gabi said these batteries were not equipped with safety features that met quality product standards and could cause a variety of problems when used and could pose health and environmental risks as well.
Gabi told The National that they had received complaints on certain imported tea bags of Asian origin with writings in foreign language, two-pin round plug electric jugs, laundry bleach, timber treatment, expired food products and textile materials.
He said the standards guide three published by Nisit provided the packaging requirements for producers, manufacturers and importers.
“This guide aids the food industry in aligning its practices to the food safety code and food sanitation regulation of Papua New Guinea as far as packaging and labelling requirements are concerned,” Gabi said.
“By law, all home electrical appliances such as television sets, stoves and ovens, hand tools, etc… including jugs and kettles must have a three or two-pin flat-face power plugs.”
While commenting on the amendments to the Customs Act, Gabi said it was a welcoming sign that the Government was serious in deterring the importation of counterfeit products.
According to the amended Customs Act that was passed during a recent Parliament sitting, those found guilty of importing counterfeit products could face a fine of up to K1.5 million or 20 years imprisonment.