As a result of the liberalisation of the market, which has taken place during the last 20 years, public authorities were set up to regulate particular sectors, especially where monopolies existed. This was done in an effort to ensure that both the consumers and the traders would benefit from the competition that ensued.
We will leave no stone unturned as we seek to further promote the rights of consumers in our country- Jason Azzopardi
Our consumer rights legislation provides for the setting up of a Consumer Affairs Council. This is an advisory body to the minister responsible for consumer affairs and its main functions include:
To advise the minister on measures for the promotion and protection of consumer interests;
To monitor the working and enforcement of laws that directly or indirectly affect the consumer;
To act as a forum for bringing together those public authorities which, in the exercise of their functions, deal with situations of conflict between traders’ and consumers’ interests or have the responsibility to safeguard the interests of consumers, with a view to establishing a closer relationship of cooperation among the said public authorities in furthering the welfare of consumers;
To examine and determine whether a consumer association has the requirements to be a registered consumer association in accordance with the law.
Conscious of the need to improve collaboration between the various public authorities connected with consumers, the government assigned the Consumer Affairs Council a new but very important function .This new function provides that the council provides a forum to bring together those public authorities which, in the exercise of their functions, have the responsibility of safeguarding the interests of consumers. The aim of this forum is that of establishing a closer relationship and cooperation between the various authorities that should lead to an improvement in the welfare of consumers.
As a result of this new function, the council proceeded to identify those authorities that deal with situations of conflict between traders’ and consumers’ interests or have the responsibility to safeguard the interests of consumers. The following were invited and accepted to form part of the Forum of Public Authorities: the Broadcasting Authority, the Malta Communications Authority, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the Malta Financial Services Authority, the Malta Resources Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Medicines Authority and Transport Malta.
The first FPA meeting was held in October and a further three meetings have since been held.
The aim of setting up this forum was made very clear to the participating authorities. We want to find ways and means to collaborate or establish such collaboration where it did not already exist.
During these first meetings, each authority explained its role and functions in detail and how these affect the consumer. Moreover, they also identified those authorities with which they already collaborate at present.
It is expected that, during the forthcoming meetings, the forum will consider means how such collaboration may be further improved and subsequently undertake to implement such improvements that should go a long way towards the benefit of consumers.
The FPA will also study the possibility of carrying out joint educational campaigns addressed at consumers. Consumers will therefore be better informed about the responsibilities of the various authorities and the best way to seek advice or lodge complaints with the relevant authorities regarding any particular issue.
When addressing an FPA meeting earlier this year, I stated that these authorities must be conscious of the power they wield and how their decisions could seriously affect the persons with whom they deal. I stressed that, when taking decisions, the authorities’ officials should not simply throw the book at their customers but act in the spirit of the law and to steer clear of treating customers as mere files.
I augur that this forum will strengthen collaboration between these authorities and encourage them to carry out joint educational campaigns directed towards consumer awareness
I was glad to note that my suggestion was taken up and, last April, the forum organised a well-attended half-day conference themed The Regulatory Authorities – Furthering The Welfare Of Consumers, which I was glad to address.
Speakers from several public authorities, which are also among the members of the public authorities forum, gave presentations highlighting the work the respective authorities carry out in the interest of consumers. The thought-provoking questions brought up by the audience confirmed the benefit of holding such activities and it is hoped that this conference will become an annual event.
We will leave no stone unturned as we seek to further promote the rights of consumers in our country. Indeed, the other day we launched a public consultation exercise that will lead to our first National Strategy on Consumer Education. It is a healthy exercise that can only be enriched by everybody’s contribution. Please do send us your feedback either by post to: The Director Information, Education and Research, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, Mizzi House, Blata l-Bajda ĦMR 9010 or via e-mail to info@mccaa.org.mt.
Dr Azzopardi is the Minister for Fair Competition and Small Business.