The latest issue of Consumer Report covers the “Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau Video-Conference Exchange Meeting on Consumer Rights Protection Work 2021” and summarizes the work of the three Consumer Councils and case referral numbers among the places. Consumer Councils in the three regions aim to work towards the goal of serving the development of the Greater Bay Area and hope to cooperate in innovative ways to further enhance the effects of their cooperation.

The exchange meeting was held by Guangdong Consumer Council and Consumer Councils in the three regions exchanged their works and experiences on consumer rights protection online for the first time. The exchange meeting summarized the implementation and effects of the cooperative agreements between Guangdong and Macau Consumer Council as well as Guangdong and Hong Kong Consumer Council, exchange and discussions on the development of linking the regulations and mechanisms for consumer rights protection of the three places were also carried out.

30 cases referred between Macao and Greater Bay Area

Since the launch of the “Case Referral Platform for Consumer Disputes in Greater Bay Area” in 2019, a total of 1,475 complaint cases had been handled, 106 cases involved Hong Kong and Macao consumers and over $100,000 of economic losses has been retrieved.

30 cases have been referred between the Macao Consumer Council and consumer organizations in the Greater Bay Area in 2020, 24 cases of those were referrals sent by the Council to consumer organizations in the Greater Bay Area, and the rest of 6 cases went sent to the Macao Consumer Council for handling. For cross-border arbitration, cooperation mechanisms have been established between Macao and the nine mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area as well as Hong Kong Consumer Council. The Council has also been working on establishing cross-border mediation mechanism with consumer organizations in the Great Bay Area to strengthen the confidence and protection of residents in the Area.

Report on testing of children’s shoes

The Macao Consumer Council strengthens its cooperation with consumer organizations in the Greater Bay Area in the area of product testing and announced a collaborated testing report on children’s shoes which was conducted with Guangdong Consumer Council earlier. A total of 36 samples of children’s shoes were tested, the 10 samples from Macao all meet the safety standards of the test but performances vary, different levels of volatile organic compounds are also found in the test. The report and a “Consumer Alert” in purchasing children’s shoes are now available in the latest issue of Consumer Report, parents are suggested to compare the report data and ratings before making purchases for their children.

Precautions on door-to-door sales

A “Consumer Alert” in reminding consumers about the potential fraud of door-to-door sales is featured in the current magazine. Consumers are suggested to check the identity of the salesperson and verify the accuracy of any mentioned survey or test, consider carefully whether to accept this kind of selling method and peruse details of the product and contents of the contract before making any decision or transaction. Consumers should also retain documents such as contracts and invoices to safeguard their own consumer rights.

Consumer Report no. 338 also covers the promotion work of “Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law” carried out in Q3 and the recently held activities by the Council. Consumers may access the magazine on the Council’s official website and WeChat official account. Consumer Report is also available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26, Edf. Clementina Ho), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, public libraries, and bookstores, etc..

For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.