An operation carried out by Procon-SP between January 19 and 30 uncovered a concerning level of irregularities among establishments selling school supplies in the interior of São Paulo. Out of 152 stores inspected, 105 were found to have issues, which translates to a staggering 69.08% of the total inspected. The operation, named "Operation Back to School 2026," particularly targeted the regions around President Prudente, including cities like Pirapozinho, Presidente Venceslau, and Rancharia.

Among the most serious violations identified were the absence of the safety seal required by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (Inmetro) and the sale of expired products. The inspections provided detailed findings for each municipality in Western São Paulo, highlighting that all three inspected establishments in Pirapozinho were non-compliant. The deficiencies included not only the lack of the Inmetro seal but also inaccessible copies of the Consumer Defense Code and insufficient information about manufacturers, which can jeopardize consumer safety and rights.

The implications of these findings stress the importance of regulatory oversight in consumer product markets, especially in the lead-up to the back-to-school season when demand for school supplies surges. The high percentage of non-compliant businesses raises questions about broader compliance within the industry and the potential risks faced by consumers. Procon-SP's actions underline the need for vigilance and accountability in ensuring that businesses adhere to safety regulations and consumer protection laws.