Evaluate the effectiveness of legal and non-legal responses to product certification.
Product certification is the process of providing documented assurance that goods and services sold in a market have passed performance and quality tests. In doing so, consumers can have confidence that a product will not harm them as their safety is ensured. Product certification is especially necessary in contemporary Australian markets that are global and exceed domestic boundaries. This response will: * Evaluate the effectiveness of legal and non-legal responses to product certification in protected consumers from harm and ensuring they receive products of fair quality.
Legal Responses
Significant pieces of legalisation that articulate the standards of product certification are the Competition and Consumers Act 2010 (Cth) and the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW). Under these pieces of statute are the enforcement and monitoring powers of the Office of Fair Trading and the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Under the above pieces of legislation are the minimum standards of product safety of goods and services marketed in Australia. This can include clear instruction of use, danger of misuse, meeting industry standards, developing product recall plans and implementing quality assurance programs. Often when these standards have been met, a product will be certified by an independent organisation like the ‘Five Ticks’ Standards Mark. By ensuring minimum level of safety stands in a product, consumers are protected from harm and they receive quality products.
The Office of Fair Trading and the ACCC have enforcement powers in relation to product certification. This includes be able to randomly check that retailed products are check that they do actually meet the prescribed standards. An example of the effective of these watchdogs being challenged is the presence