The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) has made significant progress in enforcing ‘consumer protection’ for the country.
This was one of the key areas highlighted by Treasury Minister, Patrick Pruaitch, when presenting to Parliament last week the ICCC’s 2014 and 2015 Audited Reports.
Pruaitch said consumer protection was a key function of the ICCC, but a daunting one given the complexities faced in PNG.
“This is a mammoth task given the ICCC’s limited personnel and resources compared to the country’s geography, its population size and issues faced by consumers throughout the country, and the concerted effort that is required from relevant stakeholders that operate in a fragmented service delivery environment such as ours,” Pruaitch said.
Four key achievements in consumer protection between 2014 and 2015 were revealed and include:
- The banning of Yoyo-water balls and novelty cigarette lighters, and Further Intention to Ban notices on potentially unsafe baby walkers, prams/strollers, and bunk beds which were gazetted and public notices issued, under Product Safety requirements;
- Resolving 128 complaints from 170. 42 of consumer complaints were transferred to the relevant authorities. This falls under its Complaints Investigation.
- The hosting of five Consumer Protection and Competition Consultative Committee (CPCCC) Forums, five radio appearances, and eight public notices and press releases as part of its Consumer Awareness agenda; and
- The inspection and certification of 273 scales across the aviation, wholesale and retail grocers, civil construction and the agricultural sectors under its Monitoring and Inspections agenda.
Pruaitch said the ICCC continues to operate to high standards of corporate governance, transparency and accountability.
The statutory authority complied fully with the requirements of the Public Finances (Management) Act in having its Annual Report accompanied by the 2014 and 2015 audited reports from the Auditor General, he added.
Picture: Loop file photo