The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has conducted more than 1,000 raids this year in connection with electrical and electronic goods, the Authority said.

According to the CAA, the raids have focused on ensuring legal compliance in the market, the safety of products and the identification of their sources of supply.

Meanwhile, the Authority said a special island-wide enforcement operation is also underway to ensure that consumers have access to electrical and electronic products that meet safety standards and comply with legal requirements.

The main phase of the special operation commenced on August 25.

Under the special enforcement programme alone, 204 raids have been conducted at business establishments, during which more than 1,150 items were taken into custody.

The raids have particularly focused on businesses failing to maintain proper bills, receipts and invoices; being unable to verify the source of products; and selling plugs, multi-socket outlets, extension cords and other electrical products that do not comply with required labelling and product standards.

Officials have also been monitoring other violations of applicable legal requirements.

The Authority said particular attention has been paid to the requirement for electrical and electronic products to carry a minimum six-month warranty and for consumers to be provided with a proper written warranty certificate.

The CAA stressed that merely providing a verbal assurance of a warranty when a product is purchased is insufficient. Consumers should obtain a written warranty clearly specifying the warranty period, applicable conditions and the party responsible for the warranty, it said.

During the raids, violations were identified involving a wide range of products, including extension cords, multi-socket outlets, plug tops, switch sockets, electrical cables, LED bulbs, chargers, electrical adapters, flashlights, electronic scales, electric kettles, electric irons, electrical tools and other electrical and electronic products.

The Consumer Affairs Authority said that once investigations are completed, legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered.
Court proceedings will not be limited to retailers responsible for the offences, but may also be initiated against suppliers, distributors, importers or manufacturers connected to the violations under the relevant laws, the Authority said.