The UAE  Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection has instructed retailers to stop charging surcharge on credit card usage from July 1.

A meeting of the committee, headed by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, the Minister of Economy, passed a resolution prohibiting retailers from imposing surcharges on credit card usage as commission.

The committee also agreed on liberalising trade of 15 new products including detergents and washing powders, dairy products and juices, drinking water, livestock, feed, fats and oils, and the list will be send to the Cabinet for approval.

"This is strategic to reduce monopoly and exploitation, and will enhance market competitiveness,” said Al Mansoori.

The committee reviewed a report on the advertisements for fast food outlets, and recommended that awareness measures must be initiated to ensure that customers are not misled by catchy advertising and resort to unhealthy eating, especially of junk food.

The committee also reviewed a report on the status of the Call Center in the Consumer Protection Department, and another on the difference between the prices of key food items sold at cooperative societies and major retail outlets. - TradeArabia News Service