To safeguard consumer rights, the Consumer Mediation and Arbitration Centre* was established in 1998, together with the “Adherent” scheme. “Adherents” promise to resolve disputes arising from consumer contracts concluded within the territory of Macao SAR involving an amount not exceeding the statutory value of appeal interest of the Court of First Instance through arbitration at the Macao Consumer Mediation and Arbitration Centre. Businesses joining the “Adherent” scheme are obliged to resolve consumer disputes and this obligation gives confidence to consumers.