8/10/2019 Karachi Market Flooded With Poor Quality

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Karachi market flooded with poor quality &

counterfeit PVC pipes

February 24, 2014IQBAL MIRZA

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After being used in production of plastic pipes for water supply formany years, imported plastic scrap has started taking its toll on branded PVC/CPVC pipes too.

The imported plastic scrap which is cheaply available in the country is used to produce

counterfeit products and misuse of major brand names.

During a recent retail visit to Tauheed Commercial market, DHA couple of shop owners showed

damaged/poor quality CPVC pipes of major PVC pipe brands. The retailers informed thatKarachi market is loaded with poor quality and counterfeit PVC pipes which are being produced

from imported scrap which has different chemical composition hence the quality is poor and

damaging the reputation of companies which are producing quality PVC pipes through originalresin. According to stakeholders, a joint team of police and FIA had also raided different retailers

and registered cases against them for selling counterfeit products.

They said that on investigation it has come to light that there is a gang of retailers based inGolimar and Landhi areas supplying fake PVC product with major brand names inscribed on

them. Through further investigation, it was found that few individuals in Metrovale, Banaras andKhyber Colony are also involved in manufacturing and supplying of substandard and counterfeitPVC pipes in the retail market. Supply of substandard and counterfeit PVC products in the

market has shaken the consumers' trust in quality PVC products, they said.

The unending import of hazardous plastic scrap has remained an issue in Pakistan. For the lastthree years, Pakistan has imported more than 100 thousand tons of plastic scrap out of which

most of the imported plastic scrap is used in manufacturing of pipes which are then used for

supply of water thus putting millions of lives at risk and also in violation of Pakistani Pipemanufacturing standards PS 3051/1991.

According to new import policy, plastic scrap was supposed to be importable by industrialconsumers subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, such as certification confirmingappropriate manufacturing facility by the importer and determination of import quota from

concerned Federal/Provincial Environmental Protection Agency. Nothing has so far been

implemented in this regard and from January 2013 to December 2013 Pakistan allowed dumpingof over 25,736 metric tons of plastic scrap in the country. The major dumping countries include

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 37%, Britain 27% and United Arab Emirates 15% share in 2013.

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Stakeholders further said that this is despite it being made mandatory to have the proposed

plastic scrap consignments inspected by technically qualified designated pre-shipment inspection

companies in exporting countries before it is exported to Pakistan. Unfortunately this rule is yet obe implemented.

It should be made mandatory that all importers would furnish a pre-shipment inspectioncertificate by the relevant authorities of exporting countries checking all 45 items mentioned inBasel convention, to declare the plastic scrap consignments non hazardous.

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