Saudi Gazette report TABUK — Fake electrical goods such as power strips and electric kettles, which can be found everywhere in Saudi malls, are being blamed for many fire accidents. Consumers buy them to save money while businesses sell them to make money in complete disregard for the warnings periodically issued by the Directorate of Civil Defense not to use such electrical appliances and devices. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry's inspection visits to electrical shops have resulted many times in the confiscation of such goods but have never deterred violators from selling them again. These counterfeit goods do not meet the minimum Saudi safety requirements. A quick round in any mall or electrical store will reveal the abundant quantities of such goods on shelves. Al-Watan newspaper paid a visit to several electrical shops and spoke to customers inside. One citizen said he always buys cheap electrical appliances because they are no different from the well-known brands, which are quite expensive. He played down the dangers such goods could cause. “If these goods were dangerous, they wouldn't have been found in these shops and they would've been banned from being sold in the Kingdom.” Another citizen said fake electrical products are dangerous; however, he has to buy them because he cannot afford to buy original products that are expensive. He hoped that the prices of original electrical products decrease so that everyone can buy them. “I completely agree that the imitation products are a time bomb that can go off any second.” Some of the customers Al-Watan spoke to said they always buy original products even if they are expensive because they do not want to take any risks. They said they wonder why some electrical stores are allowed to sell faulty and dangerous electrical goods and why they are not being fined. The consumers believe that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry should intensify its inspection visits to electrical shops, especially those who sell fake products. The owner of an electrical shop called on the authorities to launch campaigns to raise public awareness about the importance of buying original electrical products and steering clear of fake ones, which do not meet safety standards. Another shop owner said he sells both original and imitation products to satisfy the demands of his customers. He leaves the choice to his customers but never explains to them the dangers fake products pose. He said some imitation products perform well for a long time while others malfunction within a few days of use. Col. Mamdouh Al-Enezi, spokesman for the Tabuk Civil Defense, said fake electrical goods have caused many fire tragedies in different places. He warned the general public against using them and urged them to always buy products that meet Saudi safety standards and specifications. The director of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Tabuk branch, Muhammad Al-Sayegh, said the ministry's inspectors have seized large quantities of fake products from the local markets several times and referred the violators to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution where they were ordered to pay fines. “We cooperate with the Civil Defense and pay unnoticed visits to electrical shops to seize any fake goods,” Al-Sayegh said.
