Counterfeit goods are rampant: What is the role of the Consumer Protection Association?

(Dan Tri) - According to the leader of the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association, consumers need to "speak up" when they discover counterfeit or fake goods. Only then will the association and relevant agencies have a basis for consulting and supporting solutions.

Sharing with Dan Tri reporters on the sidelines of the workshop "Improving the competitiveness of fast-moving consumer goods and food enterprises in the context of digital transformation and multi-channel commerce" organized by Cong Thuong newspaper on June 25, Mr. Vu Van Trung - Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Consumer Protection shared about protecting consumer rights in the context of rampant counterfeit and fake goods.

Mr. Trung said that the widespread appearance of counterfeit goods on both traditional retail channels and e-commerce is a burning issue, seriously affecting the rights of consumers.

"Consumers need to speak up when they discover counterfeit goods"

According to him, counterfeit goods are often cleverly mixed with genuine goods, offered at low prices to appeal to the "bargain-loving" mentality of a segment of consumers. "Many people buy goods because of low prices without realizing that they are unwittingly supporting illegal business activities," he said.

The Vice President of the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association said that according to the Law on Consumer Protection, consumers have the right to complain to sellers and can also send a petition to the Consumer Protection Association for support. The Association currently has a system to receive feedback from the central to local levels to record and promptly handle cases.

"The most important thing is that consumers need to proactively speak up. Only then will the association and relevant authorities have a basis to advise, support in resolving complaints, and protect their legitimate rights," Mr. Trung emphasized.

Regarding the association's activities in recent times, he said that he has received many complaints via hotline and online application. The cases have been transferred to specialized departments in 53 provinces and cities for handling.

Mr. Vu Van Trung - Vice President of Vietnam Consumer Protection Association (Photo: Industry and Trade Newspaper).

"In case of problems beyond the authority, serious in nature or related to specialized fields, the association will transfer the file to competent agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Security for handling according to regulations," said the leader of the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association.

Sharing at the workshop, Mr. Vu Van Trung admitted that currently consumers almost do not have enough conditions and tools to distinguish between genuine and fake goods.

Meanwhile, although state management agencies have a handling system from central to local levels, the reality shows that the number of counterfeit and fake goods circulating on the market is still too large, making it easy for consumers to be deceived and mistakenly buy poor quality goods.

"The Vietnam Consumer Protection Association advises consumers on how to handle serious violations. In cases of serious violations, we propose and recommend that authorities investigate and handle them," he said.

ESG standards will be applied in the retail sector.

Mr. Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) said that the whole country has just experienced a peak month of fighting against counterfeit goods and goods of unknown origin.

In particular, the authorities have discovered many cases of counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin in the fields of food, medicine, fast-moving consumer goods... "In the past month, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development inspected 4,000 cases, including more than 3,000 violations. The biggest violations were related to food safety," said Mr. Tuan.

Authorities discovered counterfeit watches at Saigon Square shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Dms).

According to Mr. Tuan, the authorities are promoting the traceability of goods. On June 24, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade signed a project to enhance the application of technology in tracing the origin of some goods. The Department will research solutions, apply science and technology, blockchain solutions, and AI in tracing the origin and ensuring origin.

"The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development will study the application of criteria for sustainable development in the retail sector, especially for fast-moving consumer goods. In particular, we will apply ESG standards suitable for the characteristics of the retail sector. Like Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Industry and Trade has a responsible Green Tick program to mobilize supermarket systems, shopping malls, and suppliers to participate," Mr. Tuan emphasized.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/hang-gia-nhai-tran-lan-hoi-bao-ve-nguoi-tieu-dung-co-vai-tro-gi-20250625152035053.htm