Still no change - price indications

I referred to this issue last January and subsequently I received a letter from which I am featuring excerpts:

I refer to your article entitled Still no change - price indications.

As I have already written in another section of the media, the lack of price indications is rampant not only in Valletta but in other parts of the country. I come from Mosta and most of the shop-windows this Christmas did not have price tags on the products offered for sale. I think it is high time that the authorities take some action.

However, I was most surprised by the answer provided by the operations director at the Consumer and Competition Division. Moreover, I am surprised by the attitude taken by the Division. It seems that the Division sees its role as educating the traders. As far as I know, the main purpose for the setting up of the Division was to enforce consumer protection legislation.

Education is good but what we need is enforcement. Moreover, I am flabbergasted that the Division is trying to educate the business sector on something which has been with us, one way or the other, since the 1950s i.e. about 50 years. (Stephanie Gatt)

I referred the above letter to Godwin Mangion, Director (Operations) in the Consumer and Competition Division, who replied:

The Price Indication Regulations, which have been issued as subsidiary legislation under the Consumers Affairs Act, came into force in October 2002.

It is surprising that most of the shop windows visited by Ms Gatt did not have price tags on the products offered for sale. From our inspections, it resulted that only a few shops did not have prices on the products exhibited.

The Division issues Compliance Orders to retail outlets that do not abide with the regulations. These orders are effective as these retail outlets have taken the required steps to be in line and avoid legal action. The number of retail outlets which are complying with the regulations is always on the increase.