The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued orders against top five e-commerce platforms for selling car seat belt alarm stopper clips in regard to the violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. According to the official statement, the clips compromise the life and safety of consumers by stopping the alarm beep when the seat belts are not worn.
The Department of Consumer Affairs alerted CCPA to the sale of car seat belt alarm stopper clips, as conveyed in a letter from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The letter emphasised the widespread sale of these clips and urged action against non-compliant sellers and online platforms, along with the issuance of an advisory. Additionally, Rule 138 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 mandates the use of seat belts.
As per CCPA, the matter was referred to DG Investigation (CCPA). Based on the recommendation in the investigation report and submissions made by e-commerce entities, CCPA issued directions to the e-commerce platforms where they were directed to permanently delist all car seat belt alarm stopper clips and associated motor vehicle components which compromise the safety of passengers and the public. The e-commerce platforms were also directed to apprise CCPA of the steps taken against errant sellers of such products and submit details of the sellers along with a compliance report on the above directions.
Taking note of the Directions issued by CCPA, compliance reports were submitted by all five e-commerce entities. Approximately 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from the e-commerce platforms:
According to a recent report released by MoRTH, over 16,000 individuals lost their lives in road accidents during 2021 as a result of not wearing seat belts. Among them, 8,438 were drivers, while the remaining 7,959 were passengers. Additionally, approximately 39,231 people sustained injuries, with 16,416 being drivers and 22,818 being passengers. The report also highlights that young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 represented more than one-third of the total victims in road accident incidents.
In order to mitigate the potential loss of life among the general public, CCPA has issued an Advisory to various stakeholders, including the Secretary of MoRTH and DPIIT, Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, e-commerce entities, industry associations, and voluntary consumer organizations to abstain manufacturing, sale, or listing of car seat belt alarm stoppers.