ENG-2010 — Page 165

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In 2010, the council organised awards ceremonies for the media and the public and, in co-operation with the Education Bureau, a consumer culture study award to encourage secondary students to conduct their own studies of local consumer culture.

The council maintains regular contact with overseas and Mainland counterparts, handles consumer complaints from tourists and considers initiatives to pursue wider consumer interests. The council signed memorandums of understanding for co-operation with major Mainland cities and provinces to strengthen consumer protection for Mainland tourists. The council maintains an informative website 'Shopsmart' providing one-stop consumer information covering a broad range of topics of interest to Mainland tourists.

Enforcement of Consumer Protection Legislation

The Customs and Excise Department carries out spot checks and investigations to ensure that toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied in Hong Kong are safe, that the quantity of goods supplied in the course of trade by weight and measure is accurate, and to guard against false trade descriptions and mis- statements in respect of goods. In 2010, the department carried out 9 542 spot checks and concluded 2 405 investigations.

The department launched various publicity activities to raise the awareness of the general public and tourists about consumer rights. It also set up quick response teams to deal with complaints received from short haul visitors.

The Toys and Children's Products Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2010 and the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2010 came into operation on April 1, 2010 and December 1, 2010 respectively, with the aim of adopting updated safety standards. The Customs and Excise Department has stepped up promotional efforts for the trade to promote their awareness of product safety and of their legal obligations in complying with the new legislation.

The Government Laboratory provides analytical and advisory services to the Customs and Excise Department in the enforcement of consumer protection legislation. In 2010, the laboratory carried out 36 856 tests to check the compliance of toys, children's products and consumer goods with relevant safety standards, and to determine the weight of retailed goods. It conducted on-site investigations to verify traders' weighing and measuring equipment in support of the enforcement of the Weights and Measures Ordinance. During the year, the laboratory carried out 6 313 tests to examine the fineness of gold articles and the represented composition of other commodities in relation to the investigation of fraudulent trade practices under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Review of Legislation on Consumer Protection

The Government is committed to tackling unfair trade practices with a view to protecting consumer interests and ensuring a level playing field for business. In this regard, it conducted a public consultation on relevant legislative proposals between July and October 2010.

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