RIYADH: With the onset of winter, a team at the Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MCI) has launched an inspection campaign on electric heaters sold in the market to be in accordance with Saudi standard specifications.

An MCI official said inspection rounds will be on the retail outlets where they sell home heating devices, especially electric heaters, and the warehouses where these items are stored. “The inspection will be Kingdom-wide to verify the conformity of the displayed devices with the Saudi standard and specifications,” he said. The ministry will seize and confiscate any device that is from an unknown source or in non-conformity with the specifications because it jeopardizes the safety of the users, he said. Those shop owners found violating these regulations will be subject to a fine of up to SR5,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or both. This comes within the framework of the ministry’s role and its regular inspection tour program to combat fake and counterfeit goods to ensure the originality of goods sold in the market.

The ministry said that these inspections would focus on the product information card, the price tag, voltage of 220, capacity of not more than 2500 watts, two-years guarantee on the product, as well as identifying the information recorded on the packaging with what is mentioned on the product itself, and the instruction guide for use, in Arabic.

Emphasizing the importance of buying from a reliable store, the ministry urged consumers to buy the safest electric heater, which has a shut-down security button, in case of falling down, and further equipped with child safety and protection systems.

The ministry urges all consumers to report any violation of heating devices by contacting the customer call center on 1900, or through the smartphone application “Commercial Report.”

Civil Defense authorities earlier warned against keeping heaters on while sleeping. It also urged the public to take utmost caution against letting children play with electric heaters while they are alone at home.

“It is also recommended not to kindle fires inside tents, whether it is for warming up or cooking, or any other purpose,” the directorate said while urging people to visit its website to learn more about its issued safety rules and regulations.

There has been a huge demand for winter wear in most parts of the Kingdom, especially in the northern and central regions. Almost all commercial markets for winter clothes are witnessing hectic shopping activities with both citizens and foreigners flocking to buy woolen jackets, coats and sweaters.