Law against unfair trade practices passed

July 17, 2012

   
The Trade Descriptions (Unfair Trade Practices) (Amendment) Bill 2012, which aims to tackle rogue traders’ unfair practices against consumers, won Legislative Council backing today.
 
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So said the Government will conduct publicity campaigns and prepare enforcement guidelines, as it hopes to implement the bill next year.
 
The bill creates new offences against such practices as false trade descriptions of services, misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices, bait advertising, bait-and-switch tactics, and wrongly accepting payment, and strengthens enforcement mechanisms to protect customers.
 
Mr So thanked LegCo members, the Consumer Council, trade and industry associations and consumer groups for offering invaluable comments at different stages of the legislative exercise.
 
"By stamping out rogue practices, the bill will help maintain a fair market and benefit both honest traders and consumers. We will work together with stakeholders on the implementation of the bill," he said.