Final report
In December 2017, the ACCC released its final report for the new car retailing industry market study. The final report details the ACCC’s findings from almost 18 months of investigation, consultation and research.
Consumers
ACCC cross-appeals from Unique College judgment
The ACCC and the Commonwealth (on behalf of the Department of Education and Training) have filed a cross-appeal in the ongoing Federal Court litigation against Unique International College Pty Ltd (Unique).
Catchdeal, Techrific and BecexTech to offer refunds
Online electronics retailers, BXT International Ltd (BecexTech) and TCF Global Ltd (which operates Techrific and CatchDeal) have admitted to contravening the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and provided court-enforceable undertakings to the ACCC.
Until September 2017, BecexTech, Techrific and CatchDeal advertised electronic goods such as mobile phones and tablet computers as 'new', when they were in fact refurbished.
Over the last year, the ACCC received 96 complaints about BecexTech, 34 complaints about Techrific and 60 complaints about CatchDeal.
Interim report submissions
Submissions to the interim report are due by 31 January 2018.
GSK and Novartis in court for alleged misleading representations
The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd (GSK) and Novartis Consumer Health Australasia Pty Ltd (Novartis), alleging they made false or misleading representations in the marketing of Voltaren Osteo Gel and Voltaren Emulgel pain relief products.
The ACCC alleges that Novartis and GSK represented that Osteo Gel was specifically formulated for treating osteoarthritis conditions, and was more effective than Emulgel to treat those conditions, when the two products are identically formulated.
ACCC commences inquiry into digital platforms
The Federal Government has today formally directed the ACCC to commence an inquiry into digital platform providers such as Facebook and Google.
The ACCC’s inquiry will look at the effect that digital search engines, social media platforms and other digital content aggregation platforms are having on competition in media and advertising services markets.
“The ACCC goes into this inquiry with an open mind to and will study how digital platforms such as Facebook and Google operate to fully understand their influence in Australia,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
Compass Claims to change advertising of its replacement vehicles for accidents
CompassCorp Pty Ltd trading as Compass Claims (Compass) will amend its advertising and sales practices following an investigation by the ACCC.
Compass is a credit hire business which provides hire cars to consumers who are not at fault in car accidents. Compass is one of the largest providers of these services in Australia.