Amendments viewed for consumer rights
Source: Xinhua |
April 24, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S top legislative body yesterday began reading draft amendments to the consumer rights law, which are the first changes considered for the law since it took effect 20 years ago.
"Consumption patterns, structure and concepts in China have undergone great changes over the past two decades, and new problems have emerged in the field of consumer rights protection," said Li Shishi, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.
While briefing national lawmakers during a three-day bimonthly legislative session that opened yesterday, Li said amendments to the law aim to improve the protection of consumers' rights and interests, boost consumer confidence and promote "rational consumption that should be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly."
In the draft amendments, the role of consumers' associations and supervision over consumer rights protection would be further strengthened in order to prevent consumer disputes, Li said.
The draft clarifies the protection of personal information since personal information leaks have seriously affected the lives of consumers.
"Consumers are entitled to the rights of name, image and privacy," according to the draft, adding that business owners should obtain consumers' consent and explicitly explain the purpose, form and scope of information use before collecting and using consumers' personal information. Consumers' personal information should be "strictly confidential" and business owners should adopt necessary technical measures to ensure security, according to the draft.
Under the draft, conditions for the return, exchange or repair of goods are clarified in order to ensure the quality of commodities and services.
The draft also highlights commercial fraud. Penalties for commercial fraud should involve fines equivalent to twice the value of goods or services, with a minimum fine set at 500 yuan (US$73.53), it said, adding that criminal liabilities will be pursued for those whose defective products damage consumers' health or result in death.
As China has been long plagued by the rampant production and distribution of bogus goods, the amendments will also target such illegalities.
The draft amendments also boost the responsibility of advertisers and marketers, stressing that those who release deceptive advertisements concerning food and drugs and other goods related to consumers' lives and health are subject to joint liability with producers.
"Consumption patterns, structure and concepts in China have undergone great changes over the past two decades, and new problems have emerged in the field of consumer rights protection," said Li Shishi, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.
While briefing national lawmakers during a three-day bimonthly legislative session that opened yesterday, Li said amendments to the law aim to improve the protection of consumers' rights and interests, boost consumer confidence and promote "rational consumption that should be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly."
In the draft amendments, the role of consumers' associations and supervision over consumer rights protection would be further strengthened in order to prevent consumer disputes, Li said.
The draft clarifies the protection of personal information since personal information leaks have seriously affected the lives of consumers.
"Consumers are entitled to the rights of name, image and privacy," according to the draft, adding that business owners should obtain consumers' consent and explicitly explain the purpose, form and scope of information use before collecting and using consumers' personal information. Consumers' personal information should be "strictly confidential" and business owners should adopt necessary technical measures to ensure security, according to the draft.
Under the draft, conditions for the return, exchange or repair of goods are clarified in order to ensure the quality of commodities and services.
The draft also highlights commercial fraud. Penalties for commercial fraud should involve fines equivalent to twice the value of goods or services, with a minimum fine set at 500 yuan (US$73.53), it said, adding that criminal liabilities will be pursued for those whose defective products damage consumers' health or result in death.
As China has been long plagued by the rampant production and distribution of bogus goods, the amendments will also target such illegalities.
The draft amendments also boost the responsibility of advertisers and marketers, stressing that those who release deceptive advertisements concerning food and drugs and other goods related to consumers' lives and health are subject to joint liability with producers.
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