Voice

The Consumer Council was established in 1974 and became a body corporate when the Consumer Council Ordinance came into effect in 1977. The Council derives its income mainly from government subvention.

The Council¡¦s key activities include testing and survey programmes, price surveillance, complaint handling and provision of advice, conducting studies and research on consumer policy, consumer education, and dissemination of consumer information.

Consumer enquiries and complaints can be made by phone to the telephone hotline number of 2929-2222. They can also be made in writing, by e-mail, or by visiting a consumer advice centre close-by. The head office of the Council is situated at 22/F., K. Wah Centre, No.191 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. The Council's website address is www.consumer.org.hk.

Since the Council is not a law-enforcement body, it has no right to sue traders and complaints are dealt with by way of mediation. However, the Council also censures trade mal-practices by naming traders concerned. For cases that involve significant consumer interest but cannot be resolved by mediation or other means, applications for assistance can be made to the Consumer Legal Action Fund.

The Council's testing and survey programmes seek to provide consumers with objective and up-to-date information on goods and services so that they can make informed choices. Findings of product tests and service surveys are published in the Council's monthly magazine "Choice" which offers broad, multi-media access available in print and on the internet as well as through residential fixed-line and mobile phones.

The Council also monitors trade practices and competition-related issues that may have implications for consumer rights.

The Council carries out consumer education programmes in schools and the community. The Council organizes the Consumer Culture Study Awards in co-operation with the Education Bureau and local social welfare agencies to encourage secondary school students and third age persons to conduct their own studies of local consumer culture..

To foster better consumer protection, the Council works closely with organizations such as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Office of the Telecommunications Authority, and the Estate Agents Authority. The Council tenders its advice regarding development of industry standards and codes of practice.

Date of amendment: 22nd February 2013