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SINGAPORE: Local water filter company AOX has been taken to task for misusing the logo of Singapore\u2019s consumer watchdog in its marketing materials used to promote its water filters, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) said on Tuesday (Mar 31).<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestigations revealed that AOX had, in its physical retail outlets, reproduced CCS’s logo alongside a statement stating, \u2018Our findings were verified by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore\u2019,\u201d said the watchdog in a media release.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis statement was false and misleading; CCS had not verified any of the findings claimed by AOX.\u201d<\/p>\n
CCS, which is a statutory board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that the use of its logo together with AOX\u2019s statement amounted to an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.<\/p>\n
The misuse of its logo is also an offence under the Competition Act.<\/p>\n
Following the watchdog\u2019s intervention, AOX admitted to committing the above offence, and gave an understanding to CCS to cease using its logo and to refrain from engaging in unfair trade practices, CCS said.<\/p>\n
AOX will also issue a clarification on its website and at its physical retail outlets.<\/p>\n
CCS Chief Executive Alvin Koh said the watchdog takes a firm stance against misleading marketing practices.<\/p>\n
\u201cCCS does not accredit businesses and did not review or verify AOX\u2019s findings as claimed in this case,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRepresentations that CCS has verified any product-related claims when this was not done are an unfair trade practice as it misleads consumers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses should not, in marketing their products or services, misuse CCS\u2019s logo.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) President Melvin Yong said the enforcement action by CCS against AOX \u201csends a clear signal\u201d to businesses that misleading marketing practices will not be tolerated, and that guilty companies will be held accountable.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsumers often associate official logos and endorsements with credibility and quality,\u201d he said. \u201cMisusing these signals undermines trust and distorts consumers\u2019 ability to make informed choices.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that CASE will continue to work closely with CCS to ensure that businesses remain transparent and truthful in their marketing practices.<\/p>\n
Consumers who encounter cases of unfair trade practices can report them to CASE. Those who encounter false or misleading advertisements can report them to the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n