While Consumer Protection Department is the government arm to implement regulations, rules and resolutions related to consumer protection, Consumer Protection Associations are the civil society contribution to protecting consumers. Consumer protection Associations plays a major role in educating and raising consumer awareness. Further, it contributes to rationalizing personal consumption and family spending. It conveys consumer viewpoint to related government bodies and keeping it notified of any harmful practices. It sometimes calls for government intervention to fight these practices and eliminate them from the market place. In addition, it defends consumer interests and nourishes a fruitful close relation between consumer and supplier.

•	The supplier shall commit to refund or replace commodities that are faulty or not compatible with standard specifications or not useable for the purpose of contract
•	The supplier shall commit to announce price of commodity or service
•	The supplier shall commit make disclosures related to type, nature and components of the commodity/product
•	The supplier shall commit to notify/announce hazards related to using the commodities/products
•	The supplier shall commit to hand the consumer an appropriate invoice of the commodity that it bought and not to force it buy additional quantities of no use to the consumer, or buy other commodity or to ask it pay a higher price than announced.
•	The supplier shall commit to make details related to commodity or its maintenance in Arabic language
•	The supplier shall commit to notify Consumer Protection Department and consumers of any case related to finding manufacturing defect or any other defect that may cause damage or endanger consumers. It shall also be committed to recall all faulty commodities and to announce so immediately.
•	The supplier shall repair, maintain and provide good after sale services to the consumer on all bought commodities
•	The supplier shall commit to consumer right to get clear details on service it will obtain including any benefits, features and related costs
•	The supplier shall commit to honor all terms and conditions including guarantees/warranties documents provided by the producer or the appointed agent. It also provides spare parts to long serving commodities within a definite period of time.

Law No (8) of 2008 with respect to consumer protection has stipulated certain basic consumer rights. It banned consumer from concluding or executing any agreement that violates any of these rights. These rights include:

a.	Right to health and safety upon normal use of commodities and services
b.	Right to accurate information and data on service and commodities bought, used or offered to it.
c.	Right to freedom of choice in selecting commodities and services that ensure quality and met standard specifications requirements
d.	Right to respect of religious values, traditions and customs
e.	Right to be aware of all issues related to protection of legal rights and business interests
f.	Right to participate in activities related to societies, councils, committees and civil organizations related to consumer protection activities
g.	Right to take legal proceedings and file lawsuits related to all breaches, violations, damages and compromises of his basic and contractual rights

Penalties against violators of all obligations related consumer rights as stipulated under Chapter (3) of Law No (8) of 2008 with respect to consumer protection include imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and cash fine of not less than QAR 5000 and not to exceed QAR 50,000. The judge has the right to double the penalty. Certainly, the court has the right to double the penalty if the verdict committed the same violation within a period of not less than five years starting on the date of completion of the 1st penalty. In case of reconciliation before filing a lawsuit or during court hearing and before court ruling passing, the Minister or any other party authorized by the reconciliation agreement to stop the lawsuit in consideration for an amount of not less than twofold of the minimum stipulated fine and not exceeding twofold of the maximum limit of the stipulated fine.
Fine penalty for non-disclosures of any information or data related to hazards associated to using the product, commodity or service shall be not less than QAR 15,000 and not to exceed QAR 100,000.

Sellers do not have the right to sell any commodity or product to consumer for a price higher than the announced price. This action is a violation of Article (10) of Consumer Protection Law which obliges the seller not to ask for a price higher than the announced price.

No, you can’t. As long as you have accepted the announced price from the beginning you can't ask for a refund, even if you found out later on that you can get it for a cheaper price from another seller. You can only return a commodity if it is faulty, doesn't meet the standard specifications requirements, or not useable to the purpose it was purchased for.

Yes, you do. To return, replace or repair a commodity you need to hold an invoice to be submitted to the trader/seller, when it is necessary, as a proof document and a contract of the purchase transaction.

The consumer has the right to return, replace or repair a commodity free of charge whenever he finds it faulty, not compatible with the standard specifications or not valid to the purpose it was purchased for.

•	(supplier): Any person who provides, distributes, trades, sells, exports, imports or is involved in the production and circulation of goods and services that it will offer, contract or sell to consumers in a way or another.