Reckitt Benckiser Pays Rs30M Penalty for Deceptive Marketing, Says Competition Commission

The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) upheld the ‘s (CCP) finding that Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited had engaged in deceptive marketing practices. The company was found guilty of disseminating misleading information to consumers regarding the nature and character of its product, violating Section 10(2)(b) of the Competition Act, 2010.

The Tribunal ordered a penalty of Rs30 million against the firm for its violation of consumer protection laws. This decision followed an appeal against CCP’s order dated February 9, which found Reckitt Benckiser guilty of misleading consumers about the product’s status and characteristics.

Reckitt Benckiser was required to pay the fine and implement corrective measures as directed by the Commission within a stipulated timeframe. The company had also been ordered to make substantial changes to its packaging and disclosures, including prominently displaying the disclaimer “Non-Medicated” in both English and Urdu on the product’s front packaging.

The recovery of the penalty underscores CCP’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring businesses provide accurate information about their products. It also highlights the Commission’s ongoing efforts to combat deceptive marketing practices and promote transparency, informed consumer choice, and fair competition in the marketplace.