The establishments were raided in Pantoja, Los Alcarrizos and other areas of Greater Santo Domingo
SANTO DOMINGO.– The presence of adult items in spaces where they could be seen by minors, along with the sale of products without health registrations, led the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) to order the temporary closure of eight commercial establishments of Chinese origin in Greater Santo Domingo.
The decision was announced by the director of the institution, Eddy Alcántara, who explained that the irregularities came to light during the inspection days carried out by the technical teams of the agency in different points of the Santo Domingo province.
Among the businesses raided were Home Plus, AMG Mall, Plaza Neza, Tienda Rojo Star, Tienda Nuevo Mundo, Import y Export, and Sol, Playa y Arena. The operations covered establishments located in the municipal district of Pantoja, Los Alcarrizos, and other areas within the metropolitan region.
Exhibition of products under question
One of the aspects that motivated the intervention was the display of adult items in commercial areas where they were visible to children and adolescents.
In this regard, Alcántara warned that this practice could contradict the provisions of the Code for the System of Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, due to the need to protect minors from content and products inappropriate for their age.
Adding to this situation was the detection of goods being offered to the public without the corresponding health registrations, a condition that also caught the attention of inspectors due to its possible implications for consumer health.
Resolutions establish the temporary closure
As a result of the evaluations, Pro Consumidor ordered the closures through administrative resolutions 1934-26 and 1935-26. These documents formalize the measures adopted after the technicians verified the violations identified during the operations.
The official also noted that the agency had previously intervened in other Chinese businesses and that, at the time, it warned that it would apply the corresponding measures once it had finished analyzing the evidence collected.
In that regard, the establishments will remain closed until the Attorney General's Office concludes the investigations for which it will be empowered by the consumer protection agency.
Inspection operations will continue
Furthermore, Alcántara reiterated that Pro Consumidor will continue inspections of commercial establishments to verify compliance with current regulations and to take action against possible violations.
With these actions, the institution seeks to strengthen market surveillance and prevent practices that may affect the safety, health and rights of those who purchase products in the country, with special attention to the protection of the child population.
Recommended readings:
