A national consultation has been launched by the the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority’s Office for Competition over its preliminary report on the supply of school uniforms.

The report concludes that parents apparently have to pay high prices for certain school uniform items and in several instances there were significant price discrepancies for the same uniform items. It said parents are in a vulnerable position as they have little choice over price, quality and retailer, particularly in the case of schools having specific uniforms.

The Office for Competition has proposed a set of recommendations on how competition in this market may be improved to the benefit of parents and stakeholders.

It recommends that school uniform designs should be kept as simple as possible. Patterns and designs should be made available to parents.

Parents should be able to buy uniform items which need not necessarily be specific to a particular school from any retailer who wishes to offer uniforms for sale.

Exclusive arrangements for particular school uniform items should be the exception rather than the norm. Moreover, such arrangements should preferably be at wholesale level in order to create competition at retail level. Schools should constantly consult and engage parents in discussions on their uniform policy, especially when the school intends to change its school uniform design.

Comments should be received by October 26. To view the report go to https://secure2.gov.mt/consumer/consultations?l=1 .