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The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority has published the eighth issue of L-Għażla, a magazine which is being distributed all over Malta and Gozo and which will reach households by the end of next week.
The main objective of this magazine is to provide information to consumers and traders about rights and responsibilities.
Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli, in an introductory message, focuses on how online shopping is becoming more popular and on opportunities it offers to both consumers and traders.
She said that information and education on one’s rights and responsibilities was an important tool to ensure that consumers and traders avoided risks and only benefit from the full potential of the virtual market.
In his message, MCCAA chairman Marcel Pizzuto has outlined the importance of the work being done by authority’s officers to help consumers when they encounter problems with products and services purchased.
He explained that the authority was working to offer more services online to be more accessible to those who require its services. The new MCCAA Facebook page plays an important role in this regard.
Among the topics included in this issue, readers will find information on the new legislation regulating Alternative Dispute Resolution entities. Thanks to these entities, consumers and traders have the possibility to resolve a dispute without the need to go to court, thus saving time and money.
This issue also features product safety notifications with details of products that have been removed from the market for safety reasons. Real cases from the Consumer Claims Tribunal have been included, together with information on the Service With a Smile Award and the benefits of the free market for consumers.
Other contributions provide an insight into how standards help to ensure that only safe products are manufactured and placed on the market, showing the importance to sell and use pesticide in a sustainable way. A list of medicines that have been reduced in price since January 2015 and information on the Zika virus are included.
L-Għażla magazine is also aimed at young consumers as it contains a page specifically dedicated to children, featuring easy information on consumer rights, together with games and a competition.
The magazine may be viewed online at www.mccaa.org.mt under publications.
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Odette Vella is director, Information, Education and Research Directorate, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.