PVC fitting manufacturers files FR case

Wasantha Ramanayake

PVC pipe fittings manufacturers filed a Fundamental Rights application in the Supreme Court seeking to quash a Gazette notification that precluded manufacturers whose products do not confirm to the SLS standards.

The petitioners stated that the Consumer Affairs Authority issued a Gazette notification requiring them that their products to be confirmed to the SLS standards within 35 days and precluded them from manufacturing and marketing of non SLS standard PVC pipe fittings.

They stated that the 35 days period contemplated in the Gazette was not sufficient to dispose of their stocks amounting to millions of rupees.

They also sought to set aside the withdrawal of the letter that granted a grace period till December 31. Petitioners cited the Sun PVC Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Nemsuji (Pvt) Ltd. And Arpitec (Pvt) Limited cited Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), its Chairman Rumy Marzook, the Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Ministry Secretary and Minister Bandula Gunawardane as respondents.

They stated that the withdrawal of the grace period too was not in violation of the rights of the petitioners.