CCP Recovers Rs30M Penalty from Reckitt Benckiser for Deceptive Marketing

The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) upheld a previous decision by the (CCP), which found Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited guilty of deceptive marketing practices. The company was accused of misleading consumers about the product’s status, specifically regarding its classification as medicinal or non-medicated.

Reckitt Benckiser has been ordered to pay a penalty of Rs30 million for violating Section 10(2)(b) of the Competition Act, 2010. This act prohibits disseminating misleading information about products’ nature and character.

The Tribunal noted that Reckitt Benckiser had introduced changes to its product’s packaging and disclosures following CCP proceedings. These changes included prominently displaying “Non-Medicated” in English and Urdu on the packaging and blister packs.

As part of the corrective measures, the company must also publicize these changes through advertisements in widely circulated newspapers across Pakistan until full compliance is achieved. This recovery underscores CCP’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring transparency in marketing practices.