How to comply with consumer protection laws? Walmart knows
The customer is the boss Sam Walton knew about building a successful business servicing customers. He founded the American retail giant Walmart. Sam said “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.” Misleading conduct- accidental or […]
Read More$145,000 for faking it!
False Testimonials Publishing false testimonials has cost 2 solar panel companies and their director $145,000 (and a contribution to the ACCC’s costs). The Federal Court today found that Euro Solar and Australian Solar Panel ‘s Youtube video testimonials and the written testimonials published on Euro Solar’s website were not made by genuine customers. Publishing false […]
Read More3 Critical Things to Remember When Dealing with Consumers
The ACCC reported some big wins last week in the consumer protection space, amounting to 3 companies (and 3 individuals) paying a total of over $1.5 million in penalties. The ACCC alleged that these companies and people misled consumers, made misrepresentations, engaged in unconscionable conduct and/or failed to comply with consumer protection laws when making […]
Read MoreAddressing Risks and Opportunities in Packaging Design
Packaging of consumer products is, in many cases, a necessity. Although probably rarely given much consideration by manufacturers and suppliers, packaging can bring opportunities to businesses as well as risks. Life Threatening Packaging Waste It’s not news that our rubbish is killing our marine and bird life. A recently published article about a 13.5 m […]
Read More12 sustainability goals successful companies know
Sustainability plays a significant role in many companies today. They are seeing benefits from operational efficiencies, goodwill and compliance as well as the greater advantages that come from managing their impact on the environment and communities. Nestlé, for example, has promised to achieve zero energy waste in all of its 150 European factories by 2020. […]
Read MoreAre you sick of seeing waste packaging littering the streets?
I am! Not only because I am tired of having to drag Lulu past Mc Donald’s packages, ice cream wrappers, milk cartons, chip bags etc every time I take her for a walk! If you own a scavenger, you become very aware of rubbish!! Another (less selfish) reason is the energy and resources that go […]
Read MoreHope is not a Plan
I was privileged to attend a very inspirational talk from Pater Baines yesterday. He talked about leadership, an area he is well qualified to speak about. The first point he made was that “Hope isn’t a Plan”. This applies if you find yourself in the middle of managing an emergency, or just in the everyday […]
Read MoreThe confusion over which solar panel system to buy should soon be removed
Choosing a solar photovoltaic systems (“PV systems”) is a complicated process with different technology, government incentives, billing options and suitability being considerations the buyer needs to assess. Adding further complication to the buying process, the buyer often has to deal with different people throughout the process- those involved in the sales, installation and post- sales. […]
Read MoreThe regulator is watching for false claims of energy cost savings or of premium attributes of products penalties but are easily avoidable.
In a speech to lawyers on Friday night, the chairman of the ACCC said that 2 areas of their focus are energy retailers and in particular on claims of discounts and savings available to customers and on the making of credence claims, particularly by the food industry. This includes claiming attributes such as “Australian made”, […]
Read MoreEven accidentally misleading consumers can be costly
Over the past 6 months the ACCC has received over 1000 complaints or enquiries relating to misleading advertising and false representations including claims that are made to improve the appeal of a product to consumers (“credence claims”). Credence claims can include country of origin representations, “green” or environmental claims and representations that products are “organic” […]
Read MoreProtecting native forests; importers of wood and paper products will face heavy compliance obligations from next year.
Importers of products made from timber, including paper and paper products need to start developing their due diligence and compliance programmes now or face up to 5 years imprisonment, up to hundreds of thousands of dollars fines or both, for importing illegally logged products and failing to comply with the Illegal Logging Act. By the […]
Read MoreWhy are you making us do this?
How does your organisation manage change and implement new policies and procedures? New polices can be imposed for different reasons, including to manage risks of breaching laws, to follow industry standards, for health and safety, to align with company values or for other business reasons. Corporate change, and the acceptance by staff of new policies […]
Read MoreEnergy price savings and free range ducks
Misleading consumers about the nature of the energy comparison services offered by Energy Watch and the savings that their customers could make when switching retailers, has resulted in the company ( which has gone into liquidation) and its former CEO being ordered by the Federal Court to pay fines of $1.95 million and $65,000 respectively. This comes as […]
Read MoreThe ACCC acts quickly against misleading carbon price claims; do you know what you can say?
The price on carbon has only been with us 5 days and already the ACCC is investigating, or has taken action against, 3 companies for misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to claims, or threatened claims, about the cost to consumers of the carbon price. The ACCC warned businesses that they would take action and have published a guide […]
Read MoreThe cost of non-compliance is expensive-just ask Apple.
Businesses need to be proactive about ensuring that they know their legal obligations and have processes in place to ensure that they comply with the law. Since the Australian Consumer Law was introduced in in January 2011, the Federal Court has imposed penalties of over $1 million dollars on a number of companies for misleading […]
Read MoreMaking the most of the extra time for Australian Packaging Covenant Reports.
Signatories to the Australian Packaging Covenant now have until 31 March 2012 to report against their first APC Action Plan. If this year is anything to go by, the next 5 months will fly and it’ll be time to review your company’s Plan, sort through the records for the evidence to support compliance with the […]
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