asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has satisfied himself that the current code of advertising practices of the Advertising Standards Authority provides adequate consumer protection; the proposals, if any, he has to introduce statutory consumer protection in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Consumer Protection.
46.
I consider that the Code of Advertising Standards for Ireland sets a reasonable level of standards for the advertising industry and that its operation affords protection to the consumer to complement the protection provided legislatively.
I believe that codes of standards or codes of practice such as the Code of Advertising Standards for Ireland have a useful and important role to play in regulating trading practices. Indeed, I would consider them to be preferable in many instances to regulations by way of detailed legislation.
As regards the question of introducing statutory control in this area, legal controls on misleading advertising are already provided by the Consumer Information Act, 1978. In addition, my Department are in the final stages of making Regulations which will implement an EC Directive on misleading advertising although I would point out that the requirements of the Directive are already largely provided by the 1978 Act. I do not propose to introduce further legislative measures at this time.
47.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the proposals, if any, he has to amend or extend the current laws relating to consumer protection; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to amend or extend the current legislation relating to consumer protection in the following areas—
—the Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Bill will, inter alia, amend certain provisions of the Consumer Information Act and the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act,
—a draft 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. Seanad approval was given for this measure on 18 June last and Dáil approval is awaited.
—amendments to the Food Labelling Regulations which will require
—that the specific name or E
number of additives be given in addition to their category name, and
—that beverages containing greater than 1.2 per cent alcohol be labelled with their alcoholic strength,
—Regulations are being prepared to implement
—the EC Directive on Misleading Advertising which provides for the establishment of a legal means of controlling misleading advertising,
—the EC Directive to protect the consumer in respect of contracts negotiated away from business premises which will give the consumer the right to cancel such a contract within 7 days,
—the EC Directive on Consumer Credit which will contribute to the establishment of a common market in consumer credit and set minimum standards for protection for consumers in this field,
—the EC Directive on Toy Safety which will lay down minimum safety requirements for toys,
—the EC Directive on Imitation Products which will ban the sale of products which, appearing to be other than they are, endanger the health or safety of consumers,
—the EC Directive on Product Liability which 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.