HC orders forming committee for QR codes on imported products

The High Court on Tuesday, April 29, ordered the formation of a committee to recommend methods for implementing QR codes on imported goods. 

The court directed the Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, the Director General of Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, Customs officials, and other officials to submit a report within three months. 

Additionally, the court issued a rule questioning why QR codes should not be mandatory on imported products, requiring the government to respond.

The order was passed by a bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf following a preliminary hearing of a writ petition filed by 10 lawyers in public interest. 

Advocate Md Monirul Islam Mia represented the petitioners in court.

The writ, filed on April 20, named six respondents, including the Commerce Secretary, Finance Secretary, Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, and Director General of BSTI. 

It seeks a ruling on why a central online verification system with QR codes should not be mandatory to protect consumer rights, prevent revenue loss, and safeguard public health, arguing that the absence of such a system is against public interest.

Monirul Islam Mia said, “Fake and unauthorized imported products flood the market, posing serious threats to public health, especially children, and causing significant revenue loss for the government. This writ challenges the authorities’ failure to enforce QR code verification and establish a national database of authorized importers.”

The petitioners include Md Monirul Islam Mia, d. Roknuzzaman, Ragib Kabir, Abu Shahed, Rehemin Chowdhury, Arfan Sultana, Md. Saiful Islam, Hasan Ishaq Bhuiyan, Md. Arif Chowdhury, and Umme Aiman Zenib.