NCJ Number
54416
Date Published
1977
Length
87 pages
Annotation
IN THIS U.S. SENATE REPORT, THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 1977 IS EXAMINED, WITH ATTENTION TO THE ACT'S PURPOSE, LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND, AND ESTIMATED COSTS. AN ANALYSIS OF THE ACT'S PROVISION IS PROVIDED, SECTION BY SECTION.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE ACT IS TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF CONSUMERS AND TO PROMOTE CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE U.S. TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE ACT'S ENABLING LEGISLATION CREATES AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY FOR CONSUMER ADVOCACY (ACA) TO REPRESENT AND ADVOCATE THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS BEFORE OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND THE FEDERAL COURTS. THE ACA WILL ALSO RECEIVE AND TRANSMIT COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS, AND DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO CONSUMERS. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE FULL PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS HAS BEEN THE ABSENCE OF EFFECTIVE AND RIGOROUS REPRESENTATION OF CONSUMER INTERESTS BEFORE THE AGENCIES WHICH CONDUCT AND PLAN PROGRAMS AFFECTING CONSUMERS. DEVELOPED IN THE COURSE OF A DECADE OF HEARINGS AND LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, THE ACA IS DESIGNED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION BY PROVIDING SUCH REPRESENTATION. THE ACA WILL FUNCTION AS AN ADVOCATE AND SPOKESPERSON FOR CONSUMER INTERESTS, ALTHOUGH IT WILL HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO REGULATE DIRECTLY ACTIVITIES AFFECTING THESE INTERESTS; NOR MAY IT DICTATE IN ANY WAY HOW OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES ACT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO CONSUMERS. HOWEVER, TO ASSURE THAT ACA WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION IT NEEDS, THE ACT GIVES THE AGENCY ACCESS TO CERTAIN DATA HELD BY OTHER AGENCIES. IF IT CANNOT OBTAIN THE INFORMATION FROM OTHER AGENCIES OR PUBLIC SOURCES, THE ACA MAY ALSO SOLICIT DIRECTLY FROM PRIVATE PARTIES ANSWERS TO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. DETAILED SAFEGUARDS ARE ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUCH DATA. COST ESTIMATES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT ARE $15 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND $20 AND $25 MILLION FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD YEARS, RESPECTIVELY. (KBL)