Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, CONSUMER PROTECTION NEWS: Australia competition agency releases new Compliance & Enforcement Policy, (Feb 19, 2015)

By Jody Coultas, J.D.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Rod Sims announced new compliance and enforcement priorities for the ACCC, including cartel conduct in government procurement, truth in advertising, and consumer issues in the health sector and industry codes. The ACCC will be seeking to emphasize that the size of penalties in particular cases must be sufficient to provide appropriate deterrence.

Chairman Sims noted that cartel conduct, anti-competitive agreements and practices, and misuse of market power are three of the ACCC’s enduring priorities, along with product safety. Competition and consumer issues in highly concentrated sectors also remain a priority, along with truth in advertising, which is essential for a successful market economy, Sims said.

The ACCC will concentrate on emerging consumer issues in the online marketplace to ensure the rights and obligations that exist in the bricks and mortar world are not ignored online.

In the area of improving product safety, Sims confirmed the ACCC will seek to minimize the supply of unsafe goods by focusing on good practices in the manufacture, importing, and quality assurance of consumer products.

The introduction of a code of conduct to address unfair practices in the grocery sector will also be a major focus in 2015.

In discussing consumer protection activities, the ACCC will concentrate on issues affecting indigenous consumers, older consumers, and consumers who are newly arrived in Australia.

Other key activities and developments for the year ahead include ensuring privatization delivers for consumers, improving the functioning of the financial system, ensuring a smooth transition for consumers to National Broadband Network services, and reviewing water rules to improve outcomes in the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Compliance and Enforcement Policy sets forth the principles adopted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to achieve compliance with the law, and outlines the ACCC’s enforcement powers, functions, priorities, strategies, and regime.

News: ConsumerProtection