Sony, Samsonite in trouble over packaging rules
Karnataka govt agency has booked over 200 cos, including some MNCs, for not printing customer-care information on their retail packaging.
By ET Bureau |
BANGALORE: Over 200 companies, including some MNCs, have been booked by a Karnataka government agency for not printing customer-care information on their retail packaging.
Among the companies booked by the department of legal metrology are Sony for its DVD players, Samsonite for its travel pillow with pouch product, Bajaj Auto for its holder step, GM Modular for switches and Bridgestone.
���It is mandatory for every package to bear the name, address, telephone number, email address, if available, of the person who can be contacted, or office which can be contacted in the case of consumer complaints,��� said agency���s controller N Prakash.
The union government amended the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules in July 2006 making it mandatory to print customer-care information on retail packaging.
Companies were given an extension until January 2008 to roll out the new labels. Companies not complying with the new rule can be fined depending on the number of directors it has, with a maximum fine of Rs 2,000 per director.
Jaquar, which makes bathroom fittings and accessories, remodelled its retail packaging earlier this year to include customer-care information on all its new consignments.
���Though all our products have a warranty period of seven years, being quality-conscious, we have started a customer-care cell at our offices,��� said director BB Duggal.
Others, however, view customer-care facilities as a double-edged sword. UB Spirits, which started printing a toll-free number on its beverage labels from April 2007, is one such.
���While this information is essential, as it provides a window to genuine customers to express their views and issues, on most occasions people misuse it.���
Among the companies booked by the department of legal metrology are Sony for its DVD players, Samsonite for its travel pillow with pouch product, Bajaj Auto for its holder step, GM Modular for switches and Bridgestone.
���It is mandatory for every package to bear the name, address, telephone number, email address, if available, of the person who can be contacted, or office which can be contacted in the case of consumer complaints,��� said agency���s controller N Prakash.
The union government amended the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules in July 2006 making it mandatory to print customer-care information on retail packaging.
Companies were given an extension until January 2008 to roll out the new labels. Companies not complying with the new rule can be fined depending on the number of directors it has, with a maximum fine of Rs 2,000 per director.
Jaquar, which makes bathroom fittings and accessories, remodelled its retail packaging earlier this year to include customer-care information on all its new consignments.
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���Though all our products have a warranty period of seven years, being quality-conscious, we have started a customer-care cell at our offices,��� said director BB Duggal.
Others, however, view customer-care facilities as a double-edged sword. UB Spirits, which started printing a toll-free number on its beverage labels from April 2007, is one such.
���While this information is essential, as it provides a window to genuine customers to express their views and issues, on most occasions people misuse it.���
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