Cloudtail’s Appeal Dismissed by NCDRC Over Violation of Consumer Rights in Pressure Cooker Sales

In a significant development, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has ruled against Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd. The company’s appeal challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) Order has been dismissed. The appeal pertained to allegations of consumer rights violations in the sale of domestic pressure cookers that failed to meet mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines.

The CCPA had issued an Order requiring Cloudtail to recall a specific batch of 1,033 domestic pressure cookers that were sold to consumers. The authority also mandated the reimbursement of prices to affected consumers. The company was further directed to submit a compliance report within 45 days. Additionally, Cloudtail was penalized with a fine of ₹1,00,000 for its breach of regulations and for infringing upon consumer rights.

The pressure cooker in question, identified as “Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Outer Lid Pressure Cooker, 4 L (without pressure alert by whistle),” was being marketed on the Amazon e-commerce platform via this URL: https://www.amazon.in/AmazonBasics-Stainless-Steel-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B071G5KNXK.

Under the Quality Control Order (QCO) that became effective on February 1, 2021, domestic pressure cookers were mandated to adhere to Indian Standard (IS) 2347: 2017 and display the standard mark after obtaining a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in accordance with Schedule II of the Bureau of Indian Standard (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Domestic pressure cookers hold a crucial place in households, being widely used for daily cooking. Their proximity to family members underscores the importance of adhering to safety standards. Any deviation from the QCO requirements in these appliances could pose severe risks to consumers and the general public.

In this case, Cloudtail was found to be selling domestic pressure cookers that did not comply with mandatory standards and lacked the required (ISI) mark from BIS. Despite the QCO being in effect, the company continued to sell these non-certified pressure cookers to consumers in India.

In its response to the CCPA, Cloudtail argued that it had halted the import of the pressure cookers following the enforcement of the QCO. However, the authority observed that the company had not ceased the sale of such pressure cookers to consumers. This stance indicated that Cloudtail was knowingly and persistently selling these non-compliant products despite being aware of the regulatory requirements.

Cloudtail’s attempt to challenge the CCPA’s Order through an appeal before the NCDRC has now been met with dismissal. This development underscores the importance of upholding consumer rights and adhering to safety standards, especially in everyday items like domestic pressure cookers. The decision by NCDRC serves as a reminder to businesses that non-compliance with regulations can have serious consequences and impact public safety.

For consumers, this decision reiterates the significance of being informed and vigilant while making purchases, as it underscores the potential risks associated with products that do not meet established quality standards.