Water filtration company Purexygen admits making misleading claims about benefits of alkaline and filtered water, directors issued warnings
Purexygen had also said its water filters had been tested by testing bodies, misled customers about its promotions, and gave excuses for not fulfilling orders.
SINGAPORE — Water filtration company Purexygen has been found guilty of engaging in unfair practices, such as making false claims and misrepresenting promotions, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) said on Thursday (21 March).
In a statement released to the media, the CCCS said it has issued warnings to Purexygen, which supplies water dispensers, alkaline water filtration systems and maintenance service packages, and its directors Heng Wei Hwee and Tan Tong Ming.
Unfair practices uncovered as part of CCCS marketing monitoring activities
The government agency had conducted investigations on Purexygen under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA). These were part of its ongoing market monitoring of the water filtration system industry, looking specifically at the accreditation, certification and health benefit claims found on company’s websites.
This was when it was uncovered that from September 2021 to November 2023, the company had falsely claimed that its water filters were tested by testing bodies in sales kits.
Its website and social media accounts had also made misleading claims about the health benefits of alkaline and filtered water such as claiming its ability to prevent health conditions such as osteoporosis, acid reflux, blood pressure conditions and diabetes.
The media statement also stated that during the same period, the company had claimed on its Carousell listings that there was a limited-time promotion that included a free water faucet and water dispenser, when it was actually a benefit that all Purexygen customers enjoyed, regardless of when they signed up.
The CCCS said that Purexygen had given “false excuses on its persistent delays” to customers who had purchased water filters.
The company had also, in its direct sales contracts’ service agreements, misrepresented that activation fees and maintenance service packages were non-refundable. Customers have the right to cancel direct sales contracts and any sums paid must be returned to customers, the CCCS said.
Corrective action taken by Purexygen
The media statement wrote that Purexygen has since taken active steps to right its wrongs.
This includes the removal of false claims from sales kits, websites and social media, taking down the misleading promotion listings on Carousell and fulfilling all outstanding water filter orders.
The company has also promised to stop engaging in unfair practices under the CPFTA and to cooperate fully with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to resolve consumer complaints.
It also agreed to have an internal compliance policy for its marketing material, and to train all staff to be familiar with the types of conduct that will be considered unfair practice under the CPFTA.
Directors Heng and Tan have also pledged that Purexygen will no longer engage in unfair practices as identified by the CPFTA.
The CCCS said it “will take action if Purexygen or its directors breach the undertakings or engage in any other unfair practices”.
CCCS chief executive Sia Aik Kor further reminded all suppliers in the water filtration system industry to ensure any claims made to customers are clear, accurate and substantiated and that their business practices do not cross into unfair practice territory.
“Under CPFTA, CCCS can seek court orders against errant suppliers who persist in unfair practices,” she said.
Earlier this year, national water agency PUB clarified that Singapore’s tap water was safe for drinking after water and air filtration firm Sterra Singapore ran an advertisement that implied Singapore’s tap water was unsafe for drinking.
In 2023, water filtration company Triple Lifestyle Marketing was ordered by a court to stop making false claims that alkaline water could prevent disease.
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