Initiative to Regulate Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services in Qatar:

Background:

In an effort to protect consumer rights and ensure fair practices in the laundry and dry cleaning sector, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) in Qatar launched an initiative in January 2018. This initiative outlines specific obligations for laundries and dry cleaners towards their customers, and establishes a framework for compensation in cases of damage or loss.

Key Obligations:

• Proof of garment condition:

  • Before service: Laundries must inspect garments and record any existing defects or damage on the invoice.

  • After service: The customer must retain the invoice as proof of garment condition at the time of delivery.

• Distinction between regular and express service:

  • Laundries must clearly display the different turnaround times and prices for regular and express services.

• Garment retention period:

  • Laundries are responsible for storing garments and other items for a period of 3 months from the date of receipt.

• Compensation mechanisms:

  • Agreed compensation:

    • Before service: The customer and the laundry can agree on a specific compensation amount in case of damage, which must be documented on the invoice.

    • After service: The customer and the laundry can mutually agree on the compensation amount.

  • Mandatory compensation:

    • With purchase receipt:

      • The compensation amount is based on the estimated value of the garment at the time of damage, considering its depreciation.

      • A depreciation schedule is provided as follows:

        • Within 3 months of purchase: 70% of the garment value.

        • From 3 to 6 months of purchase: 50% of the garment value.

        • From 6 months to 1 year of purchase: 30% of the garment value.

        • After 1 year of purchase: 20% of the garment value.

    • Without purchase receipt:

      • The customer is entitled to a compensation of 15 times the service fee paid.

Additional Requirements:

• Laundries must issue invoices that include all the relevant details as per the initiative.

• Customers are advised to keep the purchase receipt and the service invoice for future reference.

• A specific deadline is set for laundries to comply with the initiative’s requirements.

Benefits of the Initiative:

• This initiative enhances transparency and protects consumer rights by ensuring clear information and documentation of garment condition and service details.

• It establishes a fair and standardized framework for compensation in cases of damage or loss, providing recourse for customers.

• The initiative promotes responsible practices within the laundry and dry cleaning sector, fostering trust and confidence between businesses and consumers.

For more information:

• Ministry of Economy and Commerce – Initiative to Regulate Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services: