Articles Archives - Page 174 of 180 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

24 January , 2012 0 comments

Warning on magnets in toys

Consumer Affairs Victoria reminded Victorian parents and carers of the dangers that toys containing magnets can pose if swallowed following the recent death of a Queensland toddler.

23 January , 2012 0 comments

Mandatory standards: protecting consumers

Mandatory safety standards are made for products that are likely to be especially hazardous. In making mandatory safety standards, the government protects consumers by specifying minimum requirements that products must meet before they are supplied

17 January , 2012 0 comments

New standard to manage the impact of e-waste

Waste from obsolete computers and television sets (known as e-waste) is now a massive problem worldwide. To assist industry to comply with new legislation about e-waste management, Standards Australia is developing a new standard, AS/NZS 5377 – Collection, storage, transport and treatment of e-waste.

13 December , 2011 0 comments

ASIC to review EDR schemes handling of complaints when companies take legal action

ASIC has commenced a review of the 2009 change that provides consumers with limited access to EDR in the early stages of debt recovery proceedings.

13 December , 2011 0 comments

CHOICE gives food labelling changes mixed review

CFA member CHOICE reviews the work of the Forum on Food Regulation’s response to the independent Review of Food Labelling. Half-baked they say!

12 December , 2011 0 comments

Soaring FOS disputes highlights need to tackle financial difficulty

The number of financial difficulty disputes handled by FOS increased by 130% (from 2,648 to 6,108). This continues a similar trend from the previous year. FCA is calling for action.

10 December , 2011 0 comments

ASIC continues review of financial advisors

ASIC will shortly contact 30 Australian financial services licensees as part of the next phase of its review of financial advice industry practice. The review is intended to provide input into ASIC’s work on educating investors, holding gatekeepers to account and understanding consumer behaviour.

9 December , 2011 1 comment

Ministers put better food labelling on the menu but proof in the pudding

CHOICE has welcomed the initial response of Health and Food Ministers to the report of the Food Labelling Review. Ministers have promised an alternative to the traffic light labelling system which all the evidence suggests helps consumers the most. It needs to work as well as traffic light labelling to gain consumer support.

9 December , 2011 0 comments

Are gift card terms and conditions too tough for consumers?

The Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council has released a discussion paper on gift cards. Restrictive expiry dates and other terms and conditions have been raised by Choice and consumer affairs agencies. Consumers have also lost when issues become insolvent.

8 December , 2011 0 comments

Don’t let global roaming ruin your holiday

Global roaming charges are high – indeed some have asked if they are the greatest rip off in history. CFA member ACCAN provides this handy tip sheet to avoid massive smartphone bills.

7 December , 2011 0 comments

Inquiry into the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2011

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services is inviting submissions on MySuper Core Provisions.

7 December , 2011 0 comments

Know your shopping rights: consumer guarantees

Consumer guarantees became Australia-wide law on 1 January this year. Find out how they can protect consumers when buying goods or services this Christmas