- The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade reminded retailers to clearly display price tags on all items for sale, citing consumer complaints.
- Businesses comply under Section 16(a) by either marking prices directly on items or clearly labeling prices at the display location.
- Inspectors will conduct monitoring visits under Section 66, and non-compliant businesses face enforcement action under Section 84 of the Act.
The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade has issued a public notice reminding retail businesses across the Maldives to display price tags clearly on all items offered for sale.
In an official statement published in the Government Gazette, the ministry stated that it has received numerous consumer complaints regarding retail establishments displaying goods without clear prices. Under Section 16(a) of Consumer Protection Act, businesses must make product pricing explicitly clear to consumers before placing items on display.
According to the announcement, officials consider goods compliant with the Consumer Protection Act if businesses fulfill pricing conditions in one of two ways:
- Printing, writing, or attaching the price directly onto the item itself.
- Placing or attaching the price at the location where the product is displayed, provided the label clearly identifies the specific item.
The ministry urged all retail businesses to display prices in full alignment with the legal requirements. Furthermore, authorities announced that inspectors will conduct monitoring visits pursuant to Section 66 of the Act. The ministry cautioned that non-compliant businesses will face formal regulatory enforcement action under Section 84 of the Act.
