CCPA slaps Rs 1 lakh fine on Flipkart for selling defective pressure cookers  

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has slapped a penalty of Rs 1 lakh against e-commerce giant Flipkart for allowing sale of pressure cookers in breach of mandatory standards. Total 598 pressure cookers sold via Flipkart did not conform to mandatory standards.  The e-commerce behemoth raked in a total of Rs 1,84,263 via sale of these pressure cookers.  

CCPA has also directed Flipkart to notify consumers that the products will be recalled and reimburse their payments besides submitting a compliance report in 45 days, according to a recent Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution release.  

As per the statement, "CCPA observed that provisions in the 'Flipkart Terms of Use' such as mandatory use of the words 'Powered by Flipkart' on every invoice of the product and distinguishing sellers as Gold, Silver and Bronze for distribution of various benefits indicates the role played by Flipkart in sale of the pressure cookers on its e-commerce platform."  

The consumer rights body further said that Flipkart cannot alienate itself from the role and responsibility attached with the sale of these cookers.  

This is not the only time CCPA has fined an e-commerce firm for selling pressure cookers without mandatory standards. It also passed an order against Amazon for allowing the sale of domestic pressure cookers in violation to mandatory standards on August 4. 

Amazon was also directed to pay a penalty of Rs 1 lakh. Total 2,265 pressure cookers sold via Amazon did not conform to mandatory standards. 

The CCPA order read, “Amazon also directed to pay penalty of Rs 1,00,000 for allowing sale of pressure cookers in violation to QCO (Quality Control Order) and violating the rights of consumers.” 

Centre notifies the Quality Control Order from time to time on conformity to a standard and use of standard mark for a product to protect consumers from risk of suffering injury and harm and in larger public good.