Inspection campaign in Oman to prevent barcode tampering

Muscat: Oman’s consumer protection authority will continue an inspection campaign to ensure that the original barcode label on goods has not been tampered with in order to preserve the consumers’ rights to obtain correct information.
The Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) said on Thursday, “The Authority carries out intensive inspection campaigns on shops and commercial centres in the various governorates of the Sultanate from the point of view of the consumers’ rights to obtain the correct information about the goods that they are buying.”
PACP added, “And to verify the presence of the original manufacturing barcode clearly without misleading or disguising to ensure the consumers’ freedom of choice.” The organisation said it would take the necessary legal measures against violators.
Globally, the issuance and regulation of barcodes are handled by an organisation called GS1, which also sets up the standards for barcodes for particular products. They are located in more than 100 areas around the world, and have introduced barcodes for several sectors including the retail, healthcare and transport and logistics fields.“Our standards have evolved to reflect and influence the world in which we live and work,” it said. They boost efficiency in many sectors, from retail and health to transport and logistics. Always working for our members, we’re opening doors and driving down the costs of doing business.”
“Designed by consensus, our standards are proven, open and benefit from collaboration with respected global companies as well as local SMEs,” they added. “GS1 tools help organisations exchange critical data - from manufacturing all the way to the consumer - creating a common language that underpins systems and processes all over the world. GS1 is engaged with governments across multiple sectors and geographies.”