XN000022-1988-04-23 — Page 2

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988

FRESH LOOK AT PRODUCT SAFETY LEGISLATION SIR DAVID

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP AN WORKING COMMITTEE то LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION.

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL

NEED FOR NEW PRODUCT SAFETY

THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL'S CONSUMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TODAY (SATURDAY).

"THIS WORKING COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER GOODS ON SALE SHOULD BE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO HAVE LABELS OR OTHER MARKS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON SAFETY AND USAGE, SIR DAVID SAID.

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"SUCH INFORMATION IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE RIGHT TO KNOW."

CONSUMERS *

AT PRESENT, ONLY FOOD AND DRUG PRODUCTS WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF INFORMATION.

THE

SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOW BK SEEKING CONSUMER COUNCIL'S ADVICE ON WHAT OTHER PRODUCT AREAS SHOULD BE COVERED, AND ON WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN.

TURNING TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL'S "THE CONSUMERS' RIGHT TO KNOW" CAMPAIGN, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT ITS OBJECTIVE WAS TO MAKE BOTH MANUFACTURERS AND CONSUMERS MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF USING ACCURATE, FACTUAL INFORMATION IN THE PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES.

"CONSUMERS NEED THIS INFORMATION SO THAT WHEN THEY BUY THINGS THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE BUYING, HE SAID.

"WHEN DECISIONS TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY, ARE BASED ON FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCT, THE RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURER, AND THE MANUFACTURER OF GOOD PRODUCTS, BENEFITS AS MUCH AS THE CONSUMER.

NOTING THAT THE CAMPAIGN WOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE FOUR NECESSITIES OF MODERN LIFE - FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORT AND SHELTER, SIR DAVID SAID THE AIM WAS TO REACH AS MANY CONSUMERS AS POSSIBLE.

AND

BESIDES TODAY'S EXHIBITION AND THE CELEBRITY SHOW WHICH WOULD FOLLOW, THE CAMPAIGN WOULD INCLUDE ADVERTISING BOTH ON TELEVISION IN MTR STATIONS, AS WELL AS A CONSUMER EDUCATION SEMINAR.

ON

"ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN IS THE FIRST FORMAL CAMPAIGN THIS THEME, IT IS A THEME WHICH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS BERN EMPHASISING FOR MANY YEARS, SIR DAVID ADDED.

H

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