Minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Shala, stated that since taking the office, consumer protection has been among the top priorities, and according to him, the MTI decisions taken in this regards prove it.
Mr Shala has said that the order to prohibit the sale of tobacco and alcohol to persons under the age of 18 is among the priorities of consumers’ protection.
“Control of the bread weight and its declarations conducted to economic entities also prove that our consumer is protected.
MTI has also prohibited the sale of toys that have been found to be hazardous to children's health.
“We are increasingly putting our efforts to protect our consumer, keep them close, and check the quality of products on the market and the market in general", said Mr Shala during the roundtable on "Consumer Protection Program, 2018 Achievements, and the quality of local products".
The Minister noted that it is very important to respect the right of the consumer and that this is best achieved when the laws of Kosovo are in full compliance with the EU directives, such as the Law on Consumer Protection approved this year.
“I thinks it is safe to say that it is one of the most advanced laws guaranteeing the rights of consumers in entirety", said Mr Shala.
The Minister asserted the need for a fair, full, comprehensive and adequate protection of consumer rights, referring to the sphere of exchange of material goods.
“A major role in the quality of products and services also play the causes, impacts, and deceptive actions, which in our daily life as consumers have the potential to endanger and harm our life, health, environment and our families.
The support of local products is of pivotal importance for the country so that their quality is competitive both in the domestic and international markets", said Mr Shala.
Minister Shala also emphasized that the engagement of MTI as the competent authority in advancing the position and the rights of consumers, in addition to representing a personal and human necessity, is also a legal and institutional obligation to advance the development processes.
“MTI has pledged to continue to improve the consumers’ situation also through drafting secondary legislation and through enhancing cooperation with all bodies responsible for consumer protection, thus aiming a more appropriate environment for all of us, as foreseen in the Consumer Protection Program.
We have expanded the Consumer Protection Council. This Council is now inclusive of all institutions that directly or indirectly deal with consumer protection", said Mr Shala.
The Minister mentioned the fact that he will remain focused on consumer protection in relation to the quality of products.
“In addition to increasing inspections in the domestic market, in cooperation with the Customs, we are preventing the introduction to market of any goods that may be dangerous for use by the consumers”, stated Minister Shala.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Inspectorate of MTI, Lulzim Syla, said that during 2018 they have undertaken a number of activities, referring to the work of the inspectorate in consumer protection.
"More than 1,400 inspections have been carried out on economic operators in the field of consumer protection. More than 440 samples of oil products have been taken, and it is important to note that 17,000 toys have been destroyed as they have been found to be hazardous based on analyses made, while over 20 imports have been returned to their countries of origin because they did not meet the criteria. This means that confidence in the MTI has increased. We are implementing all the ordinances issued by Minister Shala", said Mr Syla.
On the other hand, the Head of Consumer Protection Department in MTI, Njazi Shala, said that over 10 thousand leaflets on informing consumers have been printed and distributed. In addition, a total of 1000 leaflets were distributed in English language and in Serbian Croatian language. He also emphasized the work that they conducted towards informing consumers through the media. "The distribution of information leaflets has been carried out in seven Kosovo centres on consumer rights", said Mr Shala.
