INDUSTRY AND TRADE
31
In October, an ad hoc committee on tenancy agreements compiled and published a booklet advising tenants and landlords of their basic rights and obligations in drawing up a tenancy agreement. This proved to be a most welcome source of reference as rent and tenancy matters have been a frequent cause of complaints to the council. An ad hoc committee was also formed to deal specifically with matters relating to motor insurance.
The focus of the council's work is in the areas of advertising, and the health and safety aspects of products. Two standing committees have been set up to study these matters, while a third collects and studies relevant information from various local and international
sources.
The year 1980 was particularly busy with a growing number of complaints being received from consumers who felt they had not had a fair deal from traders. In all, 7,366 complaints were received, representing an increase of 23 per cent over the previous year. The number of enquiries from the public handled at the council's three consumer advice centres also went up to 20,415, representing a 7.4 per cent rise over the preceding year.
These increases were seen as reflecting the confidence of the consuming public in the work of the council, and even more importantly, in the growing consumer awareness in Hong Kong - a trend that is continually being fostered by the council's consumer education and information programmes. The council strongly believes that an informed consumer exercis- ing rational choice in the purchase of goods and use of services, is probably the best means of consumer protection in the long run.
The council is in almost daily contact with all sections of the mass media, which gave prominent coverage to a wide range of consumer issues during the year. New shopping leaflets were produced for distribution at the council's advice centres and displays of con- sumer products were mounted, at the head office in Wan Chai, for the purpose of educating the public.
In December, a cartoon competition on the theme of consumer rights was jointly organised by the council and the Community Youth Club Section of the Education Department. Following the introduction of consumer education as a subject in the school curriculum, the council is involved in stimulating greater interest in this relatively new topic of learning and providing guidance and assistance to teachers and students.
The council conducts comparative product testing and carries out regular research and surveys to ensure consumer interests are safeguarded. The findings of these projects are published in the monthly issue of Choice, the council's official publication. During the year, Choice reported test results on space heaters, electric plugs, honey, mosquito coils, television sets, colour films, household insecticides, dry cells, single-lens reflex cameras, furniture polishes, sports shoes and cigarettes. These reports provided consumers with independent information on various products to enable them to make a more considered choice in their purchasing and so obtain greater value for their money.
In January, 1980, the council hosted a five-day international seminar on The Law and The Consumer. Organised by the Asia and Pacific Regional Office of the International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU), the seminar was attended by some 160 delegates from 24 countries and represented an important step in the development of consumer protection legislation for many of the participants. The Hong Kong Consumer Council is a council member of the IOCU.
Trade in Endangered Species
The Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, which relates to the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora, has