Gas in Armenia Polluted and of Poor Quality: Consumer Rights NGO

In a study of 250 families, 95% said their complaints mainly related to basic needs products, as well as gas and electricity rates, Babken Pipoyan, president of Aware and Protected Consumer NGO which conducted the study, said at a press conference in Yerevan today.  

"People are disgruntled that they consumed more gas but were less warm, compared to last year. The supplied gas is polluted somewhat and cannot ensure the amount of energy as per the norm; consequently, gas boilers' filters, instead of getting dirty once every five to ten years, are no longer fit to be used after 1–2 years. Our aim is not to talk about the problem. But when we get calls from consumers, contact the state agency if necessary, and get no assistance, it remains only to criticize that agency," he said.  

One of the most pressing issues today, Pipoyan said, is acquiring equipment to check the level of pollution in consumer gas. 

"Otherwise, presenting the results of the study, we will contact the Armenian government to determine: does the state have an interest in resolving the problem?" he said. 

The Aware and Protected Consumer NGO president noted that as a second area of concern, respondents identified the poor quality of goods. 

"The level of public awareness in Armenia is quite low, and few Armenian shoppers know that, as per the law, they are entitled to return an item they purchased but for whatever reason no longer want. When a vendor says that it will not accept a returned product, he is violating the consumer's rights. Our NGO can provide local solutions [on a case-by-case basis], but actually systemic solutions are needed," he said. 

On the government decision of the compulsory excise seal on packaged goods, Pipoyan said that though such a move in other parts of the world is aimed at reducing the shadow economy, in Armenia it leads to increase in prices.  "The business entity pays 2 dram for the stamp, [but] increases the price of the product by 30 dram. Thus, there will certainly be an increase in [the price of] foodstuffs," Pipoyan concluded.