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Published on 2024-03-09 14:45:58
The Ministry of Commerce has decided to suspend the competitions that award the labels “Ikhtiari” and “Product of the Year” to products sold in Algeria. This measure aims to protect consumers and regulate the market.
The “Ikhtiari” and “Product of the Year” labels are supposed to reward products that stand out for their quality and innovation, according to consumer votes. The “Ikhtiari” competition is organized by the Algerian Association for Consumer Protection (Apoce), while the “Product of the Year” competition is an international label present in 40 countries.
However, these competitions are criticized by some economic actors and consumer associations, who accuse them of lacking transparency, favoring certain brands over others, and misleading consumers about the actual quality of the products.
In response to these criticisms, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to suspend the “Ikhtiari” and “Product of the Year” competitions in Algeria, and to order the removal of products bearing these labels from the shelves of merchants. In a note addressed to the regional and provincial directors of commerce, the Ministry indicated that this decision aimed to “protect consumers and regulate the market.”
The Ministry also provided a list of 82 products affected by the removal, belonging to various categories such as Food, Cosmetics, Hygiene, etc.
The suspension of the “Ikhtiari” and “Product of the Year” competitions in Algeria has sparked mixed reactions. Some have welcomed this measure, believing that it puts an end to a “charade” and restores fairness among producers.
Others have regretted this decision, considering that it infringes on consumers’ freedom and deprives producers of a tool for promoting and showcasing their products.
Read the original article(French) on Algerie 360
