asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the proposals he has for improving legal consumer protection; if he will outline each specific proposal; and the proposed timetable for enacting these.
Written Answers. - Legal Consumer Protection.
37.
The information requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Measures Proposed |
Outline of the proposed measures |
Proposed Timetable for enactment/implementation |
|
Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Bill. |
Will streamline the operation, and extend the scope of existing competition and consumer protection legislation. Inter alia, it will amend certain provisions of the Consumer Information Act, 1978, and the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980. |
During current session. At present at Committee Stage in Dáil. |
|
Consumer Information (Consumer Credit) Order. |
Will require advertisements which show a cost for credit to give the true cost of that credit by means of the annual percentage rate of charge (APR). |
During current Session. At present awaiting Dáil approval. |
|
Implementation of EC Directive on Misleading Advertising. |
Requires the establishment of legal means of controlling misleading advertising. The requirements of the Directive are already largely satisfied by the provisions of the 1978 Consumer Information Act. |
Before end 1987. |
|
Implementation of EC Directive on “Doorstep Sales”. |
Will, with some exceptions, give the consumer the right to cancel within 7 days a contract negotiated away from business premises. |
Early 1988. |
|
Amendment to existing Food Labelling Regulations. |
Will require that beverages containing more than 1.2 per cent of alcohol be labelled with their alcoholic strength. |
Early 1988. |
|
Implementation of EC Directive on Product Liability. |
Will impose responsibility by law on producers of products and their components for injury or loss occasioned to any person due to a defect in the product. |
Directive to be implemented by 31 July 1989. |
|
Implementation of EC Directive of Imitation Products. |
Will ban the sale of products which, appearing to be other than they are, endanger the health or safety of consumers. |
Directive to be implemented by 25 June 1989. |
|
Implementation of EC Directive on Consumer Credit. |
Will require, inter alia, that all credit agreements be in writing and that a credit agreement contain certain specified information. Borrowers would also be entitled to equitable relief in cases of early settlement. |
Directive to be implemented by 1 January 1990. |