In a major development, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an order against five e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, for selling seat belt alarm stopper clips. The consumer body has directed the e-tailers to immediately delist such clips from their websites.
“It is imperative to say that using car seat belt alarm stopper clips can also be a hurdle for consumers seeking claim amounts in the cases of motor insurance policies, wherein an insurance company may deny the claim by citing the negligence of the claimant for using such clips. On the other hand, using a seat belt acts as a restraint that allows the airbag to provide proper cushion and not hit the passengers at full force which also works as a protective shield in case of collisions,” the release said. It further stated that compliance reports were submitted by all five e-commerce entities after taking note of the Directions issued by CCPA. As a result, about 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from the e-commerce platforms.
Seat belt alarm stopper clips are small devices that prevent the alarm from sounding when the driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. While these clips may seem harmless, they pose a serious safety risk as they encourage people to not wear seat belts while driving.
The CCPA has taken a strong stance against the sale of these clips and has urged the e-commerce platforms to take immediate action to remove them from their platforms. The order has been issued under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which empowers the CCPA to take action against e-commerce platforms that engage in unfair trade practices or sell products that are harmful to consumers.
The order comes after the CCPA received multiple complaints from consumers who had purchased these clips online. The complaints highlighted the safety concerns associated with these devices and the potential risks they pose to drivers and passengers.
In response to the order, Amazon and Flipkart have both issued statements assuring their commitment to consumer safety and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Both e-commerce giants have also confirmed that they will comply with the CCPA’s directive and remove the seat belt alarm stopper clips from their platforms.
This move by the CCPA is a welcome step towards ensuring the safety of Indian consumers. By cracking down on the sale of unsafe and potentially harmful products, the consumer body is sending a clear message to e-commerce platforms that they cannot compromise on consumer safety for the sake of profits.
It is hoped that this order will serve as a wake-up call for other e-commerce platforms and encourage them to take a more proactive approach towards consumer safety. It is also a reminder to consumers to be vigilant and aware of the potential risks associated with products they purchase online.
As per a latest report published by MoRTH, more than 16,000 persons were killed in road accidents in 2021 due to not wearing seat belts, of which 8,438 were drivers and the remaining 7,959 were passengers. In the wake of this data, CCPA’s latest action taken assumes significance.
It further stated that compliance reports were submitted by all five e-commerce entities after taking note of the Directions issued by CCPA. As a result, about 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from the e-commerce platforms.
