The National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) starts this Tuesday (11) the National Market Surveillance Plan, with inspection actions in all Brazilian states, simultaneously, aiming to curb the irregular commercialization of products in the formal market . The plan will run for 13 consecutive weeks, around 90 days, concentrating the operation each week on a different product or measuring instrument. In this first week, the target will be trade balances. The deputy director of Inmetro’s Conformity Assessment, Marcelo Monteiro, told Agência Brasil that, in addition to inspecting, the plan will seek to guide shopkeepers, manufacturers, importers and even consumers, in relation to the dangers that exist in the irregular product, which does not meet regulations. “At first, the idea is to guide those involved. This operation is more orientative than punitive”. Establishments where irregularities are found will be instructed to correct the procedures. In case of recurrence, they will be subject to the penalties provided for by law, including fines ranging from R$ 100 to R$ 1.5 million, seizure of products, destruction or destruction, in addition to loss of registration with Inmetro. “These are the penalties applicable to those who commit these infractions”. Taximeters, toys, helmets and vehicular natural gas (CNG) systems, among other products, will be inspected. Protection The director explained that the main objective is to protect the consumer and the trade from predatory competitors “who often have commercial advantages, due to the irregularities they commit. That’s what we’re trying to stop.” The plan will also combat piracy, or gross counterfeiting of any product, which can even be legalized, but which harms not only the consumer, but the company that originally supplies the product. Marcelo Monteiro added that the national operation aims to inspect, in the same way, low quality products, sold in street vendors or in stores for R$ 1.99, which do not have a minimum of acceptable quality and do not offer safety. “These are our targets.” The operation will have the support of the Inmetro superintendencies in Rio Grande do Sul (Surrs) and Goiás (Surgo), in addition to the 27 delegated bodies in the states, which are the Institutes of Weights and Measures (Ipem). “These Inmetro delegated bodies carry out inspection and verification work. They are part of the institute’s Legal and Quality Metrology Network and will carry out these actions in the field”, said Monteiro. Each week, partial results for each product will be announced. The president of Inmetro, Márcio André Brito, recalled that the operation is in line with the federal government’s strategy to develop the national industry. Consumers who suspect irregularities and companies who feel threatened by unfair competition should contact the Inmetro Ombudsman, by telephone 0800 285 1818, from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, or via the website www.gov.br /inmetro/auditor.
Agência Brasil
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