Franchising Code of Conduct amendments now in force
The Franchising Code of Conduct amendments came into force on 1 March 2008. During March the ACCC continued to educate stakeholders about their rights and responsibilities under the Franchising Code of Conduct, particularly in relation to the amendments. Specifically, the ACCC gave presentations about the code at a number of franchising events, including the Franchising Expo in Sydney. The ACCC also answered many inquiries from stakeholders about their rights and responsibilities in relation to the amendments.
During March the ACCC was also active in getting information out to the Franchising Code information network—a free subscription service for those people who wish to be kept up-to-date with Franchising Code developments. The ACCC sent subscribers information about the amendments, including its new publication, theFranchising Code of Conduct compliance manualfor franchisors and master franchisees. Subscribers were also kept up-to-date about recent franchising-related matters taken to court by the ACCC.
For further information and publications about the Franchising Code, visit the ACCC franchising code webpage. Alternatively, you can contact the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.
The ACCC continues to provide information to the horticulture industry about their rights and obligations under the Horticulture Code of Conduct, which has been in effect for almost a year.
The ACCC conducted presentations in late February in the Lockyer Valley and the Granite Belt in Queensland to highlight code requirements for pack houses to growers.
In March the ACCC made a presentation at the melon growers’ conference in Queensland highlighting to traders and growers subject to the code the requirement to have a signed compliant horticulture produce agreement in place before trading in horticulture produce. The delegates were advised that the ACCC has taken enforcement action against traders who have failed to comply with this requirement of the code, and that the ACCC will continue to take appropriate enforcement action to obtain industry-wide compliance.
On 5 March 2008 a new mandatory standard for hot water bottles was introduced. This new standard applies to hot water bottles manufactured in or imported into Australia on or after 1 June 2008.
The Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, the Hon. Chris Bowen, introduced the regulations, which are based on British Standard 1970:2006. The mandatory standard makes it compulsory for hot water bottles to comply with essential safety requirements, relating to their physical properties (thickness, etc.), performance characteristics (pressure resistance, leakage, etc.) and labelling (to ensure correct usage of the product).
Product safety compliance workshop—Australian Toy Association
At the request of the Australian Toy Association, the ACCC conducted a product safety compliance workshop in Sydney during March. The workshop was a capacity-building exercise designed to assist ATA members to design their own compliance programs to ensure compliance with regulations.
