Message from Consumers' Association

This is a World Consumers Day message from the president of the Consumers' Association, Benny Borg Bonello:

Another Consumer Rights Day has arrived. At the international level the focus is rather varied. While Consumers International focuses on GMOs, entitling its campaign "Consumers say No to GMOs", the European Economic and Social Committee will deal with "Sustainable Consumption".

Prior to a meeting discussing this issue, there will also be a conference taking up the issue of "Consumers and the euro". The Consumers' Association will send its representative to these conferences in view of the importance of both subjects locally.

However, beyond these particular and specific issues we feel that there are other fundamental issues that need to be tackled in the future. The Consumers' Association has identified the following problems and set the following objectives for the future:

Enforcement of consumer legislation: Now that the acquis has almost been transposed into our legislation, we need to see that it is implemented and enforced. We feel that this is the most important task as basic legal requirements, such as price indications, are widely disregarded.

Consumer credit: We believe that this is an important milestone as we believe that a stand should be taken to ensure that the local consumer should not end up begging for what other European citizens have attained a long time ago. In this respect, we expect that the business community, especially banks, should put their money where their mouth is regarding corporate social responsibility.

Competition and standards: We believe that both consumers and our national competitiveness can improve if we open up to competition. However, competition on its own will not guarantee adequate quality of product or service, especially in market circumstances like ours. That is why we insist on standards.

Consumer education: We believe that we need a radical change in this area. We believe that in the formal education we're missing the wood for the trees. One particular issue which should be taught is how markets operate. This is of primary importance if consumers are to play a valid role.

Capacity building for consumer organisations: This is fundamental if our organisation is to face effectively its local and European responsibility. The authorities need to understand that, similar to aiding industry and the business community, they need to invest in our only consumers' organisation for the sake of consumers.

We know that this is a tall agenda but we are encouraged that local consumers have come out of their long hibernation and are demanding a fair deal all around.

The Consumers Association will issue a press statement on World Consumer Rights Day on its Website www.camalta.org.