Australia

From 1 January 2011 the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) has been replaced by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).

Clients should note amendments to the National Credit Code and the National Credit Act taking effect from 1 March 2013.

Since the ACCC identified consumer guarantees as an area of priority, they have commenced numerous enforcement actions.

This article explains the new Australian Consumer Law and the statutory guarantee regime with its consequential changes.

UK online business ASOS recalled leather studded belts worldwide, because extensive wear could cause radioactive injury.

Do you deal with consumers? Do you use standard terms and conditions? The ACCC is enforcing unfair contract terms rules.

1 January 2011 was a significant date in the history of Australian competition and consumer protection legislation. On that day, the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA), which had regulated the competitive and consumer conduct of businesses in Australia for over 36 years, was consigned to the annals of history, to be replaced by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA).

A wine label is an important part of the packaging, and an attractive label can be a help in winning sales. But, as well as appearance, there are regulatory considerations.

The recently enacted National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (National Credit Act) establishes a new national licensing regime for the regulation of consumer credit in Australia. The new regime includes a licensing requirement. If you currently engage in a credit activity, such as providing credit or advice in relation to credit, you may need to register with ASIC before 30 June 2010. Failure to register in time will result in you being required to cease the credit activities as of 1 July 2

The ACCC report: "Unfair Contract Terms: Industry review outcomes" provides examples of clauses considered to be unfair.

These proceedings serve as a reminder to business owners not to advertise goods or services in a manner that may be false or misleading.

The case clarifies the scope of a search engine's liability for content on its website but authored by third parties.

The High Court overturned a decision that Google, via AdWords, was conveying misleading and deceptive representations.

Credit providers with Small Amount Credit Contracts (SACCs) can proceed with certainty in planning for new credit laws.

All retailers and manufacturers must ensure that product warranty information complies with the new regulations in 2012.

In Australia, suppliers are unable to specify a minimum price below which goods or services are unable to be resold.

Until recent times, product liability claimants in Australia typically relied upon negligence to establish a right to damages, pleading in the alternative misleading or deceptive conduct under section 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ("the TPA"), and a breach of one or more of the statutory causes of action against manufacturers and importers of defective products contained within Part V Division 2A and Part VA of the TPA.

The ACCC took enforcement action against standard form consumer contract terms which were unfair and unenforceable.

Will Australia be returning to a simple statutory prohibition against "misleading and deceptive conduct"?

Indonesia

The Consumer Protection Law is a step forward in curbing unfair business practices and in raising general awareness.