Back to school: Profeco analyses school supplies; detects price differences and faults in some products
The Mexican Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) tested 94 common school supplies ahead of the return to classes to evaluate their performance, features, commercial information, and finishes. The tests were conducted by the National Laboratory for Consumer Protection and included items such as notebooks, colored pencils, erasers, geometry sets, pencil sharpeners, and blue ink pens. While all 17 notebooks passed the tests without defects, significant price differences were found among products with similar characteristics. For example, a 'NFL' notebook from Scribe priced at 79.91 pesos received a 'Very Good' rating, while a similar product from Stuk priced at 49.72 pesos received the same rating. Some products had issues with labeling or functionality, such as certain compass models failing to perform properly and some pencil sharpeners not meeting required standards.
Profeco, Mexico’s consumer protection agency, has released detailed recommendations for school supplies based on quality and price assessments, highlighting discrepancies in pricing and identifying defects in some products ahead of the new academic year. The analysis was conducted by the National Laboratory for Consumer Protection, which tested 94 common school items. The evaluation included 17 professional-sized notebooks, 23 colored pencil sets, 15 erasers, nine geometry kits, 16 pencil sharpeners, and 14 blue ink pens. Each product was assessed for performance, features, commercial information, and finish. For instance, notebooks were checked for page count, durability, paper weight, and water resistance, while colored pencils were evaluated for tip durability and resistance. Erasers underwent tests for wear and efficiency, and geometry tools were examined for scale accuracy, linearity, and precision. Among the notebooks tested, all 17 models passed without defects, though notable price differences were found among similar products. A notebook labeled “NFL” from Scribe priced at 79.91 pesos received a “Very Good” rating, whereas a similarly rated product from Stuk was available for 49.72 pesos. In the category of colored pencils, all models met commercial standards and had no visible flaws, with eight standing out for their durable tips. Comparisons showed that a Maped set priced at 150 pesos was more expensive than an Artesco model costing 118.53 pesos, despite both offering comparable features. Erasers performed well overall, with brands such as Artesco, Kores, Maped, Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Staedtler excelling in their effectiveness. However, issues were noted in geometry tool finishes, with all nine models showing surface imperfections. Additionally, two specific models, Mae and Wacky, had problems with compass tracing accuracy. Pencil sharpeners also faced challenges. The Maped model experienced jamming and tip breakage during testing. Several other products failed to meet labeling requirements under the NOM-050-SCFI-2004 standard, including Kores Snappy 35813, Kores Snappy Duo 35814, and Kum, which lacked required warning labels. Blue ink pens with medium point sizes and non-retractable mechanisms met commercial information standards and had no visible flaws. However, the study revealed that price does not always correlate with performance or feature quality. For example, a pack of 12 Bic pens rated “Excellent” cost 51.45 pesos, while a Pentel pack reached 235.55 pesos. Profeco advises consumers to review each item's specifications, compare prices across brands and stores, and establish a budget before purchasing school supplies. This guidance aims to help parents make informed decisions amid varying product qualities and costs.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
MX
