Legal Studies Consumer Essay

Legal Studies Consumer Essay

The law has endeavoured to reform and gradually improve itself due to the rising number of contemporary issues concerning consumers including product certification, marketing innovations, technology and credit. Although the law is effective in most of these areas there is often need for additional protective measures, supported by non-legal responses, in order to ensure consumers are adequately supported. In light of recent reforms to legislation and the continued work of legal bodies, the law has been largely effective to a great extent in areas of consumer concern, further sustained through the collaborated effort of legal and non legal responses in ensuring complete protection in all areas.
The issue of product certification requires good to comply with national accredited test standards in order to be considered certified. In essence, the greater the risk of injury there is to consumers, the more stringent the certified process will be. In terms of responding to issues concerning consumers, various legal measures have been effectively imposed in order to ensure the continued protection of consumers under such legislation as the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth). The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is responsible for all areas of consumer protection through the policing of the Trade Practices Act. Along with the ACCC, the NSW Office of Fair Trading possesses power that allows it to consistently monitor product safety standards and prosecute any breach in statutory obligations. If products are not of merchantable quality and pose a threat to consumers, the ACCC and the Office of Fair Trading are able to remove it from the market. In the case of “Bindeez Beads” it was found that the product contained toxic chemicals and was subject to a worldwide product recall, effectively demonstrating the role of the law in pursuing action against dangerous products. The dedication of the ACCC in protecting consumers is evident through their persistent cases, most...