CCPA Issues Notices To Flipkart, Meesho For Selling Corrosive Acids

SUMMARY

Questioning the easy availability of acids on the platforms, the CCPA directed Flipkart and Meesho to submit detailed responses within seven days.

The development comes two days after an acid attack on a 17-year-old school student in Delhi

On Thursday, the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) also issued notices to Flipkart and Amazon for selling corrosive acids on their platforms

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to ecommerce majors Flipkart and Meesho for selling corrosive acids online.

Questioning the easy availability of such acids on the platforms, the CCPA directed them to submit detailed responses within seven days.

Saying that several states/ union territories have issued guidelines to regulate the sale of acids, the CCPA in a statement said that the platforms have been asked to provide the checks and compliances undertaken by them in this regard.

“Availability of hazardous acids in such accessible manner can be dangerous and unsafe for consumers and to the public at large,” the CCPA said in a statement.

The development comes two days after an acid attack on a 17-year-old school student in Delhi. The three accused reportedly bought the acid from an ecommerce platform.

On Thursday, the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) also issued notices to Flipkart and Amazon for selling corrosive acids on their platforms. In its notice, the DCW said that the accused in the Delhi acid attack case bought the acid from Flipkart.

In a tweet, DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said, “The acid that was thrown at the 17-year-old girl was bought from Flipkart. Acid is also being sold on Amazon. Think how easy it is for anyone to buy acid… press the button, get home delivery of acid sitting at home! I am issuing notice to Flipkart and Amazon, their accountability should be decided!”

The CCPA, in the statement, said that on a suo moto examination it found that Meesho is selling corrosive acids on its platform in violation of the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“Sale of highly corrosive acids in an easy, accessible and unregulated manner without any due diligence whatsoever by the e-marketplace entity can lead to disastrous consequences to the consumers, especially the vulnerable sections of the society, namely women and children,” the CCPA said.

The regulatory body said that if the ecommerce platforms did not comply with its notices, then strict actions will be taken against them as per the provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2019.