CONSUMER AFFAIRS COUNCIL

In accordance with the Consumer Affairs Act, Chapter 378, Part II, the Consumer Affairs Council was set up in January 1996 when the Consumer Affairs Act came into force. It is made up of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and five Members. The Chairman and Members are appointed by the Minister responsible for Consumer Protection for a term, of not more than three years, which may be renewed for a further three years. The Chairman and three members are appointed from among persons who, because of their experience, qualifications or activities, the Minister considers as being able to contribute towards the promotion of consumer interests.

The Director General of the Consumer and Competition Division is appointed Vice Chairman.

One Member is appointed by the Minister in consultation with registered Consumer Associations.

One member is appointed by the Minister in consultation with those constituted bodies which the Minister considers to represent the traders’ interests namely the Chamber of Commerce and the General Retailers and Traders Union.

The current Consumer Affairs Council is composed as follows:

Chairman Mrs. Carmen Delia - An Economist with an interest in social and economic issues.
Deputy Chairman Mr. Marcel Pizzuto - Director General of the Consumer & Competition Division.
Member Mr. Anthony Camilleri - A Trader nominated jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and the GRTU;
Member Mr. Benny Borg Bonello - President of the Consumers’ Association and representing the Association;
Member Mr. Joseph Mallia - A former, indeed first, Director of Consumer Affairs who set up the Department of Consumer Affairs;
Member Dr. Paul Edgar Micallef - A Lawyer with expertise in Consumer Law and a member of the Consumers’ Association Council.
Member Mr. Adrian Muscat Inglott - A Consumer Affairs Columnist for the Sunday Times and a member of the Consumers’ Association Council.
Secretary Ms. Barbara Buttigieg - Assistant Director Information & Client Affairs Directorate, Consumer and Competition Division.

The Functions of the Consumer Affairs Council are:-
To advise the Minister on the formulation of policy to be followed by the Director of Consumer Affairs;
To advise and assist the Minister on measures for the promotion of consumer interests;
To monitor and keep under review trading and business practices related to the supply of goods and services to consumers;
To undertake or commission research that may be necessary to promote consumer protection;
To monitoring the working and enforcement of laws which affect consumers;
To draw up and review consumer protection directives and minimum service standards for submission to the Minister;
To monitor the development of Consumer Associations in Malta;
To draw up and review rules of practice for registered Consumer Associations for submission to the Minister;
To examine and determine whether a consumer association has the requirements to be a registered Consumer Association in accordance with the law;
To perform any other function assigned to it by the Minister or that may be assigned to the Council in accordance with the law.

Premises & Staff
When it was first set up in 1996 Council used to meet in the Department of Consumer Affairs board room. Following the intervention of Dr. George Hyzler, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Economic Services, Council started to operate from newly allocated premises at 4, Old Mint Street, Valletta in the year 2000. The official opening of the premises took place during World Consumer Rights Week of that year. At present Council has the services of a clerk namely Miss Sue Ellen Grixti.

Other functions and activities of the Consumer Affairs Council
- Council meets at least once every month and serves as a link between Government, consumer representatives, and the business community. In this context, when the latest amendments to the Consumer Affairs Act were being drafted, Council was actively involved in the consultation process with all interested bodies and organisations. These included the General Retailers and Traders Union, the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Industries, the Consumers Association, and others.
- Council maintains a liaison with public authorities, such as the Public Transport Authority, the Malta Resources Authority or the Malta Communications Authority, on consumer related issues.
- Council and the Consumer and Competition Division organise various information campaigns including seminars, workshops, and annual young consumers’ competition. Council also participates in the annual weeklong celebrations linked with World Consumer Rights day (March 15th).
- Council participates on committees of various entities whose activities are of interest to consumers (such as the Malta Standards Authority);
- Council also conducts research on different aspects of concern to consumers (e.g. estate agents, distance selling etc.)
- Council gives its input with regard to regulations issued under Cap. 378 in accordance with article 7 thereof, as the Minister is required by law to consult the Council in making regulations under this article. To date this has been with regard to the distance selling regulations, which came into force last in September 2001. Other regulations in the offing include those on price indications.
- Prior to issuing any public warning statements under Cap. 378, the Director of Consumer Affairs is required to concur with Council.
- Council is also the competent entity responsible for the recognition and registration of consumer associations as registered consumer associations in accordance with Part IV of Cap. 378.

Contact Us:

The Consumer Affairs Council
4, Old Mint Street, Valletta, CMR 02
Tel: 2123 9892; Fax 2123 9888.
carmen.delia@magnet.mt

Adrian Muscat Inglott

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