Better consumer protection

I refer to the editorial Naming And Shaming Is A Strong Deterrent (October 30) and would like to express my satisfaction that The Times has in recent weeks dedicated some space to the subject of consumer protection, in particular the importance of having in place effective and transparent tools to deter unfair practices in the market place.

The media has in the past proved to be one of the most effective tools in exposing such practices, hence the need for The Times and other sections of the media to continue to focus their attention on the subject.

Hopefully, when the competent authorities do decide to take forward their proposals, this will be done in the context of a structured consultation giving all stakeholders - consumers and business in particular - a fair chance to make their submissions prior to the enactment of any new laws.

Both the government and opposition have said they favour some form of new consumer agency, yet to date very few details have been provided. One hopes that there is a general consensus at a political level which guarantees that the new agency has the desired autonomy and resources to be able to perform effectively.

Equally important is that any such new agency maximises on the scarce resources that exist in the sphere of consumer protection, ensuring better coordination with and support of the consumer lobby.

Moreover, any changes that may be introduced will come at a significant moment in the history of consumer protection as the EU is in the process of (hopefully) finalising a directive on consumer rights and introducing measures on collective redress. One anticipates that any prospective changes in Maltese law will cater for any resultant measures being envisaged at an EU level where such changes will provide for better consumer protection in Malta.