The discount "abu riyaleen" (SR2) stores offer products to clients who seek to get a good bargain. Unfortunately, these low-quality products have led to the death of and injuries to people, including those who were electrocuted by faulty plugs. In Hail, fire gutted houses and citizen's properties because of nonconforming heaters and air conditioners to the required specifications.

The Civil Defense in Hail confirmed at least three case of fire due to the use of low quality electric heaters which melted because of variation in voltage. After these accidents, the Ministry of Commerce revealed the existence of 3,000 faulty electric equipment.

Abdulaziz Mashhour, a citizen, wondered why the Ministry of Commerce and Industry didn’t force manufacturers, producers and importers to implement the necessary plug specifications. Authorities confiscated over 3,000 faulty electric equipment in the city of Hail alone, he claimed. Mashhour added that the Office of Saudi Specifications announced new special specifications for electrical equipment but the instructions are yet to be implemented.

Awad Al-Shammari said Civil Defense bears the brunt of accidents resulting from the use of these faulty electrical equipment. He said it was strange that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry brags about confiscating 3,000 imitation pieces, while it should have stopped them from coming to the market in the first place and punished importers.

A source in the ministry confirmed that the ministry continues to subject all imported materials and important electrical equipment to rigorous tests in order to ensure their conformity to the ministry's specifications before allowing them into the market.

The Saudi Standard, Metrology and Quality Organization revealed that the lab is tasked to test and take samples in addition to issuing reports about test results.

Official spokesman for Civil Defense in Hail Capt. Nafe Alyan Al-Harbi warned consumers of risks involved in the use of faulty electrical equipment.