NCJ Number
49653
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE MARKETING PRACTICES ACT AND THE OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN AND THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR CONSUMER POLICIES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IT IS NOTED THAT, REALIZING THAT THE REGULAR COURT SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE FOR HANDLING THE NUMEROUS INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, SWEDEN HAS CREATED A PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BOARD AND A SMALL CLAIMS COURT TO DEAL WITH CONSUMER GRIEVANCES ON A NONJUDICIAL LEVEL. IN 1976, THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR CONSUMER POLICIES COMBINED WITH THE OFFICE OF THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN TO FORM A BODY HEADED BY THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN. THE PRIMARY WORK OF THIS BODY IS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE MARKETING PRACTICES ACT. THIS ACT PROVIDES FOR TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, THE PROHIBITION OF DANGEROUS OR USELESS GOODS, AND THE PROHIBITION OF IMPROPER CONTRACT TERMS. EACH COMPONENT OF THE ACT IS BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR CONSUMER POLICIES WORKS PRIMARILY THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN CORRECTION OF MARKETING VIOLATIONS THROUGH VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT. SHOULD NEGOTIATIONS PROVE UNSUCCESSFUL IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, THE MATTER IS REFERRED TO THE OFFICE OF THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN, WHICH CAN REFER THE CASE TO THE MARKET COURT. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE FORCING OF A DISCONTINUANCE OF A PARTICULAR MARKETING PRACTICE OR THE MARKETING OF A SPECIFIC PRODUCT OR SERVICE. WHEN PROMPT INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED, THE MARKET COURT CAN, ON THE REQUEST OF THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN, ISSUE AN INTERIM DECISION WHICH INVOLVES A PROHIBITION OR AN INJUNCTION AGAINST THE PRACTICE IN QUESTION UNTIL THE COURT MAKES A FINAL DECISION IN THE CASE. THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR CONSUMER POLICIES HAS DEPARTMENTS, WHICH, IN ADDITION TO DEALING WITH CASES CONCERNING ADVERTISING AND IMPROPER CONTRACT TERMS, ARE ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIONS AND COUNSELING IN CONSUMER QUESTIONS. (RCB)