Thailand
Cambodia: Consumer protection group with strong powers set up
As a sign of Cambodia’s rapidly growing economy, the Kingdom is to get a consumer-protection group with the power to jail offenders, close businesses or correct misleading information. The government issued a sub-decree on the organisation and functions for the national committee, giving it powers to investigate both brick and mortar establishments and e-commerce.
The notice was signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. It aims to push and promote implementation of a law on consumer protection with efficiency and make sure every trade activity is credible and honest.
The National Committee for Consumer Projection (NCCP) consists of officials from the Ministries of Commerce, Economy and Finance, Interior, Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Justice, Posts and Telecommunications, Health, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the National Bank of Cambodia, the Directorate-General of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF) and the Council of Ministers. The NCCP will be tasked to prepare and promote the policy and strategic plan related to consumer protection and propose the government checks and amends the law and regulations related to consumer protection work if necessary. The law aims to protect the health of consumers, ensure a level playing field in the business sector, and stop businesses from engaging in false advertising.
It will check and find solutions in the case of regulations prepared by a regulator that conflict with the regulations prepared by other regulators and provide consultation with the consumer associations and organisations related to consumer protection, as well as checking and approving measures and other procedures necessary to implement laws on consumer protection.
In addition, the NCCP will facilitate and collaborate and sign other agreements with other institutions, authorised regulators in various fields and development partners related to consumer protection work both nationally, regionally and within the international framework.
In addition, it is also able to give recommendations to the commerce minister to determine dishonesty, send warning letters and also propose that the government set a date for a National Day for Consumer Protection.
Consumer protection laws are widespread in developed countries and heavily policed both officially and unofficially such as by the media.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50760140/consumer-protection-group-with-strong-powers-set-up/