Vol. 563 No. 4
160 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she consulted with the providers of retail point-of-sale systems in relation to the changes in price label layouts required for compliance with the new regulations obliging retailers to display prices clearly and unambiguously; and if so, the nature of this consultation. [7731/03]
161 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is acceptable that many providers of retail point-of-sale systems received no notice in relation to the changes in price label layouts required for compliance with the new regulations obliging retailers to display prices clearly and unambiguously. [7732/03]
162 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is in the consumer's best interests that price displays will be generated by software which was developed under severe time constraints. [7733/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 to 162, inclusive, together.
The requirement on retailers and other traders to display the selling price and unit price for all pre-packed products offered for sale to consumers was first introduced in October 2001 by the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2001. At the time those regulations were made a commitment was given that they would be reviewed at an early date in the light of the experience of traders, consumers and the Director of Consumer Affairs of their practical operation over a reasonable period of time.
My Department initiated consultations with IBEC, RGDATA and other trade representative associations during the summer of 2002 about possible amendments to the regulations. A draft of the new regulations was published on my Department's website in November 2002 and sent to trade and consumer representative groups for comment. Some comments were received and the trade representative groups were consulted in relation to further amendments to the published draft of the regulations and the timing of the entry into force of the new regulations.
When making the regulations in December 2002 I provided that they would come into operation on 1 March 2003 so as to allow a further period of time to traders to make the necessary preparations to be able to comply with the regulations. This was followed up by press releases in January and February and the posting of a frequently asked questions document on my Department website.
I consider that traders on whom the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 639 of 2002) imposes obligations were adequately consulted in relation to the making of the new regulations.
