The Malta Federation of Industry, through the MBB EU Help Desk and in conjunction with the Consumer and Competition Division (CCD), organised an information meeting on the Implications of Sale of Goods and Consumer Guarantees for Maltese Business. The meeting was held on November 12.

The main speaker was CCD legal officer Dr Claire M. Calleja, who gave an overview of Directive 99/44/EC relating to certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees and the division's implementation plans.

Dr Calleja focused on the provisions in the Consumer Affairs Act, within which the Directive has been transposed, and their interpretation in line with the Directive with an emphasis on the obligations of economic operators.

Members actively participated at this informative meeting raising queries related to the granting of commercial guarantees, extended guarantees and maintenance agreements, as well as the obligations of traders in understanding consumers' needs, implications on authorised agents in view of commercial guarantees granted by parallel importers, life cycle of components of products covered by legal guarantees, and required proof of purchase.