More teeth for CAA Act

Friday, 27 May 2011 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shezna Shums

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act is being reviewed to make certain changes to better protect consumers’ rights, official sources told the Daily FT yesterday.

This process is still ongoing and no date was provided as to when it would be sent for Cabinet approval.

This revision has been ongoing for some time, stated officials at the CAA.

However, among the changes, one will be to accommodate a section where price revisions of goods would have to be approved by the CAA.

According to the proposed amendment before a price revision is put in place for some essential goods and services, approval has to be sought from the CAA.

However, there are a few companies that carry out price revisions without CAA approval. Such instances sometimes occur when the companies’ initial contract allows them this freedom.

Once the legal draftsman completes the revision of this act, it will be presented to Parliament, following which it will have to be passed Cabinet.

The recent increase in the price of flour was done by the two main flour importing companies without CAA authorisation.

However, price hikes for imported milk powder received permission from the CAA, against the backdrop of increasing global prices of powdered milk powder.

The CAA can take legal action against companies which arbitrarily raise the price of goods and services if they fall under the purview of the CAA.

Toothbrush with SLS mark a must

The Consumer Affairs Authority said yesterday that all toothbrushes marketed from 1 June in the country should carry the Sri Lanka Standard (SLS) certification.

This directive is as per the powers vested to it under Section 12 (2) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003.

The CAA directed that no manufacturer, distributor or trader shall manufacture, distribute, store or sell or display for sale or offer for sale in wholesale or in retail any locally-manufactured toothbrushes unless it is marked with the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute eligibly and in a conspicuous face on each and every pack of the toothbrush.

“This decision will come into effect from 1 June. This falls under the Sri Lanka Standards Specification for toothbrushes – SLS 276,” CAA said.