A cosmetics and therapeutic goods supplier has admitted using the Australian Made logo without permission from the Australian Made Campaign Limited.
Jeune International Pty Ltd, which supplies products in Australia and overseas, has admitted it contravened section 52 and 53(c) of the consumer protection provisions of Trade Practices Act 1974. Section 52 deals with misleading or deceptive conduct while s53(c) relates to the making of false representations regarding, among other things, that goods have a certain sponsorship or approval.
When the issue was brought to Jeune's attention, it acknowledged the conduct and cooperated fully with the ACCC. Jeune has since obtained approval from the AMCL to use the Australian Made logo on its products.
Jeune has given the ACCC court-enforceable undertakings that it will:
- not use or depict the Australian Made logo without certification from the AMCL to do so
- implement a trade practices law training program, and
- maintain a corporate complaints handling system.
In welcoming the remedial action, ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said truth in advertising is important.
"Corporations falsely using the Australian Made logo can gain significant commercial benefits by misleading consumers into believing the products had received approvals, endorsements or certification, when in fact they had not."
For media inquiries to the ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, please call Ms Lin Enright, ACCC Media, on (02) 6243 1108 or 0414 613 520. For general inquiries, please call the Infocentre: 1300 302 502.
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