A-Map, a leading auto parts distributor, has welcomed the proposed amendments to an anti-fraud bill for counterfeit automotive parts.

The bill, proposed by the Federal National Council, will cover the country and its freezones and is set to come into effect next year, said a statement.

Fake parts put the lives of the UAE’s road users in peril, said Asad Badami, managing director of the company that specialises in the distribution of aftermarket automotive spare parts.

“We’re pleased to see the FNC addressing the issue of fraud and counterfeiting with a firm stance. Fake parts may be cheaper, but their safety and durability are not tested, and fitting them could come at great cost to everyone’s safety on the road, not just that of the driver,” said Badami.

“Counterfeit automotive parts could also cause significant vehicle damage, as they are built to vehicle specification, and could trigger breakdowns or worse. They typically don’t last as long as genuine parts and vehicle owners will have to replace them much quicker,” he added.

The proposed legislation, which will replace a 35-year old federal law, will put in place far greater punishments for those who contravene it.

More than 2,000 counterfeit car parts and accessories worth more than Dh600,000 ($163,314) were confiscated in Al Ain last year, according to officials.

Overall more than Dh35 million in counterfeit products were seized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development last year.

A recent study by the Brand Owners Protection Group suggested that car parts could account for almost 70 per cent of all fake goods in the UAE, based on market value and volume. - TradeArabia News Service