HONG KONG: A motion was passed yesterday in the Legislative Council about establishing a comprehensive consumer protection regime in Hong Kong. The government promised to submit a proposal regarding amending related ordinances to prevent unfair sales practices.

Starry Lee, a legislator from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong who introduced the motion, stated instances of traders using misleading, deceptive, high-pressure, intimidating, harassing or other unfair means to market products or services have become very common in recent years. She believes consumer protection efforts in Hong Kong have been inadequate. The situation has reached "an outrageous stage", she said.

A cooling-off period should be provided for agreements involving membership, package tickets and other pre-paid services, suggested Lee. Under the terms of this proposal, consumers would be able to terminate agreements within a specified period after signing the agreement, without incurring any fees or charges.

Under Lee's proposal, traders will have to issue the terms and condition in writing for any service agreements reached verbally through on-street promotion or over the telephone. The agreement will be effective only upon a signed confirmation by the consumers involved.

Complaints about undesirable sales practices have increased rapidly, according to the statistics of the Consumer Council. The number of complaints was 5,302 in 2007, but soon reached 11,477 in 2008. By last November, the number of complaints had reached 7,869 for the year.

Many legislators echoed the opinion that undesirable sales practices continue to proliferate. One lawmaker suggested that the situation has not just affected local citizens, but also tourists from the mainland and abroad. "It can damage the reputation of Hong Kong as a shopping paradise," he said.

Legislators' views on cooling-off periods were divided. Some believe the measure is key to solving the problem of undesirable sales practices. On the other hand, the concern was voiced that the cooling-off period may affect the majority of honest merchants.

(HK Edition 01/07/2010 page1)