ISLAMABAD: To enhance consumer protection and ensure transparency, the Comp­etition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has pr­o­posed amendments to the Pakistan Stan­dard Specification for all five types of cement.

In a policy note issued on Tuesday, the CCP has recommended a mandatory disclosure of manufacturing and expiry dates on cement packaging.

Highlighting the significance of this recommendation, the CCP pointed out that cement’s hygroscopic nature makes it susceptible to strength loss after 4 to 6 weeks of storage. The absence of manufacturing and expiry dates on cement bags poses a consumer risk. It could lead to the purchase of expired products and compromise the integrity of construction projects.

The policy note emphasises the need to align Pakistan’s standards with international labelling practices to ensure consistency and transparency in the domestic market. It also aims to address the disparity between domestic and export labelling requirements, thereby safeguarding the interests of local consumers.

Currently, all types of cement in Pakistan adhere to packaging standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).

The introduction of mandatory manufacturing and expiry date disclosures is expected to empower consumers, foster competition among brands, and streamline inventory management processes.

The CCP condemns the omission of material information on cement packaging as deceptive marketing and advocates for the mandatory printing of expiry dates to protect consumer interests and promote fair competition within the industry. An advisory has been sent to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) and its members, urging compliance with the new labelling requirements to prioritise consumer safety and satisfaction.

Unpaid marking fees

It may be worth mentioning that during a previous meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology, it was revealed that the cement industry had not paid the marking fee to the PSQCA for the past 15 years, resulting in outstanding dues of over Rs4.5bn as of June 2022.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2024