ENG-2005 — Page 168

134 | Commerce and Industry

The council's testing and survey programmes seek to provide consumers with objective and up-to-date information so that they can make informed choices. During the year, 42 product tests, 16 survey projects and 42 in-depth studies were completed, which covered a wide range of product and service areas from condoms and facial masks to water filters and air purifiers to telecommunication and financial services. Popular electronic products such as digital cameras and mobile phones were also regularly tested. Products were tested mainly for safety, performance, convenience, durability and environmental impact.

The council provides complaint and advice services to the community through telephone hotlines, eight Consumer Advice Centres and the council's website. It acts as a mediator between consumers and the traders concerned. During the year, 36 614 consumer complaints and 163 313 consumer enquiries were received. Problems with telecommunications services continued to top the list of consumer complaints.

The council also monitors trade practices and competition-related issues which may affect consumers. In 2005, it issued a Good Corporate Citizen's Guide to promote industry self-regulation, enhance corporate quality and boost consumer confidence. It also made 11 submissions in response to government consultation papers on subjects affecting consumer interests, such as the future development of the electricity market, and examined a number of matters related to responsible trade practices such as the quality of service in the telecommunications industry. As a member of the Government's Competition Policy Advisory Group, the council's chief executive actively participates in reviewing government practices and complaint cases relating to competition.

To provide consumers with up-to-date market information, the council publishes the findings of its product tests and surveys together with practical advice and viewpoints to the public through its monthly magazine, CHOICE, which has a circulation of over 26 000. An online version of CHOICE is also available to provide easy access to pertinent information. In 2005, the council continued to organise the Consumer Rights Reporting Awards and the public vote on the Top Ten Consumer News Stories.

The sixth Consumer Culture Study Award organised during the year encouraged secondary school students to conduct their own studies of local consumer culture. In all, 564 teams, comprising 3 500 students from 114 secondary schools, participated in this programme.

In addition, by year-end, a total of 301 teachers had completed a web-based teacher's development course on consumer education, which was commissioned by the Education and Manpower Bureau and has been organised by the council since March 2004.

The council has continued to administer the Consumer Legal Action Fund, which enhances consumer access to legal remedies. In 2005, the fund considered nine cases and granted assistance in one case. Three cases carried over from previous years were successful in their claims.