The Department of Civil War and Consumer Protection is reviewing-Information Technology

The Department of Competition and Consumer Protection is continuing to actively review the advertising information of some products on the market with information related to the harmful effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The Department of Competition and Consumer Protection (CT & Consumer Protection) has just released its Annual Report 2021. In the section on Law enforcement and competition policy, for the group of unfair competition acts, this Department said, the Department is continuing to actively review the advertising information of a number of products on the market with information related to the effects of preventing the harmful effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and advertising a number of drug and food products. The function shows signs of exaggeration, exaggerating the use of the product (total of 15 cases).

“Although at the present time, the Department is not able to conduct investigation and handling according to competition proceedings under the Competition Law 2018 (due to the Decree stipulating the structure, functions and tasks of the Competition Commission). The National Competition Commission has not yet been issued), the Department still receives complaints and complaints related to acts showing signs of violation of competition law to clarify the matter and make necessary recommendations to prevent acts of unfair competition”, CT & BVNTD said.

Previously, CT&BVNTD issued a warning message:

In the context that the COVID-19 epidemic has seriously affected people’s health and lives, many pharmaceutical or food products have been launched to help prevent, treat or support COVID-19. In addition, there are also a number of newly introduced electronic products with functions related to the prevention, inhibition or eradication of the virus that causes COVID-19 or are named in connection with this function.

In order to ensure that the information to consumers is clear, to avoid causing confusion and buying unwanted products in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Department of CIT and Consumer Protection has reviewed, collected and evaluated a number of information. information on household electrical products (such as air conditioners, air purifiers, disinfectant sprayers, lights…).

These include products such as:

– Air conditioners using Nanoe™ X Technology of Panasonic Vietnam Co., Ltd;

– Products using ScentAir ION technology of Appliancz Vietnam Joint Stock Company;

– Products using Airocide technology of Viet My Technology and Equipment Joint Stock Company;

– Blueair Health Protect air purifier of ASH Vietnam Co., Ltd;

– Philips Disinfection Air Cleaner sterilization fan of In Situ Technology Integration Co., Ltd;

– Covid Nano sterilization and disinfection sprayer of Thai Thang Electronics Co., Ltd.

Through the review and evaluation, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism found that the content of information related to the use of prevention or eradication of the virus that causes COVID-19 of these enterprises was mainly based on the test results carried out in conditions of high temperature. laboratory limitations (material, area, volume, air humidity, controlled air temperature and some other special conditions), have not been tested under actual living conditions.

However, the information content about the above products does not state or is unclear about these limitations, such as:

– Information notes are incomplete, unclear or too small to be read on product introduction images or run too fast to be read in time on product introduction video clips;

Information to kill, inhibit or prevent viruses is given on the basis of laboratory testing, where limited laboratory conditions are not specified or are disproportionate to conditions of real use. economic;

– The product is not related to COVID-19, but is named and has information about the function related to COVID-19 such as CV19, virus removal (does not specify whether it is SARS-CoV-2 virus or not).

The Department of Consumer Affairs and Trade has assessed that the publication of information on the effects of preventing, inhibiting and destroying the virus that causes COVID-19 of the above products shows signs of violation of the provisions of Point a, Clause 5, Article 45 of the 2018 Competition Law. Therefore, the Department of Consumer Protection and Protection has warned and asked the above units to review and edit the content providing information about products to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Competition Law 2018.

At the same time, the Department of Consumer Affairs and Protection recommends that people should be alert and carefully research information before buying products with uses related to the function of preventing or killing the virus that causes COVID-19.

* The Department of Competition and Consumer Protection (CT & Consumer Protection) is an agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, with the function of enforcing competition law, managing business activities in a multi-level manner and protecting the interests of consumers. with the aim of ensuring a healthy competitive environment, creating equal opportunities for businesses to participate in the market, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.