Traders cannot charge extra for packaging - Trade Minister

Irangika Range

Traders cannot charge extra for packaging, Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardhana said yesterday.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No.9, 2003, traders can be prosecuted if they charge for packaging in direct or indirect ways when they sell any type of goods to consumers, the Minister said.

Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday, the Minister said the Consumer Affairs Authority has issued a gazette notification in this regard. It is being implemented with effect from October 17.

The Minister said a consumer has forwarded a petition to the Supreme Court against charging extra for packaging when supermarkets sell goods to consumers.

Following the petition, the Supreme Court has ordered the CAA to issue the gazette notification prohibiting the charging of extra money for packaging when traders sell goods to consumers.