cambodia’s report for major consumer protection law...

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Ministry of Commerce Camcontrol Directorate-General

Consumer Protection and Fraud Repression Department

Cambodia’s Report For "Major Consumer Protection Law Enforcement and Consumer Issues

Highlights"

27-29 August 2012, Bangkok, Thailand

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Outlines of the presentation

- Legal Framework covering the scope of CP

- Process of passing the law

- Consumer’s Complaint Handling Process

- Consumer’s Information & Education Campaign

- Issues and Challenges

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Legal Framework of CP

Even without a specific law on the consumer protection, the main law and other related laws covered the scope of CP:

- The constitution of Cambodia Art. 64:

“The State shall ban and severely punish those who import, manufacturing, sell illicit drugs,

counterfeit and expired goods which affect the health and life of the consumer.”

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Legal Framework…(Cont’d)

- Law on the Management of Quality and Safety of Product and Services

- Law on the Standard of Cambodia

- Law on the Management of Cosmetics

- Law Concerning Marks, Trade Names, and Acts of Unfair Competition

- Law on Banking

- Law on the Electricity

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Legal Framework…(Cont’d)

- Law on the Metrology

- Sub-Decree on Food Hygiene

- Sub-Decree on the Management of the Import of Live Animal and Meat Products.

- Sub-Decree on the Management of the Import of Fresh Vegetable

- Sub-Decree on Waste Management

- Sub-Decree on Printing of Warning on the Cigarette Package

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Other related legal tools under drafting process - Law on the Competition

- Law on the Consumer Protection

- Law on E-Commerce

- Law on Tobacco Control

- Law on the Secured Transaction

- Other related laws, sub-decrees and ministerial orders related CP are being considered to draft.

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Process to obtain CPL

- Specific Law on the Consumer Protection has been commissioned by UNCTAD

- Finalized since the early month of 2010 and available only in English Version

- Run out of budget to continue some more steps, incl. professional translation, workshop, meetings…

- Seeking financial assistance from all sources, incl. development partners.

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Steps of adopting CPL

Drafting the law Translate into Khmer Language

Reviewed by TG of MOC

Seminar and workshop

Submit for review from COM

Submit for discussion among line-ministries

National Assembly Senate Royal Promulgation

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Information and access to the domestic complaint handling

- Mailbox on the expression of opinion and complaint related to quality and safety of goods and consumer affairs have been placed in markets located in all city and provinces.

- Stickers on the same issue have been placed in supermarkets and stores.

- Announcement has been made through Radio and TV channels.

- Web-site development has been requested

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Information and access to the domestic complaint handling

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System of Consumer Complaint Handlings (Informal)

Consumer

Physical Mailbox

CCDG Branch & CP Department

Seller, Distributor, Supplier…..

CCDG

Court

Ministry

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Consumer’s information & Education Campaign

The campaign focus primarily on:

- Laws and regulations related to consumer’s rights and measures against commercial fraud.

- Health and safety, especially related to food products

- Hygienic conditions

- Understanding product’s labeling

- Impact of hazardous products (drug, tobacco,…)

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Consumer’s information & Education Campaign

- The arrangement has been made between the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Education for launching the campaign at schools.

- The campaigns are launched in the city and provinces: - at schools

- at the headquarter of market authority

- at special national events

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Materials for the Campaign

Laws and regulations covered the protection of Consumer’s interests

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Materials for the Campaign…(Cont’d)

Product’s Labeling and Hygienic Issues

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Materials for the Campaign…(Cont’d)

Product’s Hazards and Food-born Disease

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Materials for the Campaign…(Cont’d)

Efficient Use of Energy

Health Issues related to Tobacco

Use Health Issues

related to Drug

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Training for the Trainers

Training for Officers

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Issues and Challenges

- Specific law on Consumer Protection - Time consuming of having related laws and

regulations. - Commitment of Policy Making Level - No mechanism of consumer complaints handling

beside the court - Participation from all stakeholders including

consumers themselves - Voice to represent the consumers - Regional and Int’l Cooperation

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Thank You!

Consumer Protection and Fraud Repression Department, Camcontrol DG, MOC:

Hand Phone : (855) 12 876 321

Office Phone : (855) 23 426 166

Fax : (855) 23 426 166

E-Mail : cpd@camcontrol.gov.kh

ccdg.cpd@gmail.com