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ICRT Main Meeting. Welcoming Remarks. Ms. Connie Lau Chief Executive Hong Kong Consumer Council 10 May 2007. Welcome to Hong Kong !. 1st ICRT Meeting held outside Europe > 40 participants from 22 organizations around the world. Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC).
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ICRT Main Meeting Welcoming Remarks Ms. Connie Lau Chief Executive Hong Kong Consumer Council 10 May 2007
Welcome to Hong Kong ! • 1st ICRT Meeting held outside Europe • > 40 participants from 22 organizations around the world
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • 1978 – 1st Joint Test with European Testing Group (ETG) on outboard motors
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • established in 1974 • 22 members appointed by Government • Full Council meets every two months • 124 staff • 16% in Consumer Advice Centres & Consumer Council Resource Centre in Tsimshatsui
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Key activities • Testing & survey programmes • Complaint & advice services • Consumer policy studies • Publications • Consumer education
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • 6 Functional Divisions • Administration & External Affairs Division • Complaints & Advice Division • Consumer Education Division • Legal Affairs Division • Public Affairs Division • Research & Trade Practices Division
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • 95% of HKCC’s funds come from Government • Remaining from sale of monthly magazine CHOICE • HKCC discharges functions independently • Does not accept sponsorship / advertising
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • CHOICE magazine – multi-media access • Print copies • Internet (http://choice.yp.com.hk) • Residential fixed-line • Mobile phones
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • ICRT test reports • More than half of comparative test reports published last year • Fast moving electronic products – popular with readers
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • August 2006 • 1st ICRT Asia Pacific regional joint test on Rechargeable Batteries • Headed by HKCC • Joined by South Korea, Singapore & Thailand
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Broad media coverage of HKCC’s product testing reports • Reaching neighbouring regions in Mainland
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • In 2006, HKCC completed • 43 product tests • 16 survey projects • 44 in-depth studies • covers LCD TVs, air conditioners, water treatment devices, PAAG breast augmentation, telecom & financial services
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Provide pre-shopping advice & mediate disputes • 8 Consumer Advice Centres • Call hotline (2929 2222) • Through website (www.consumer.org.hk) • By post or fax • In 2006, 35,962 consumer complaints & 166,180 enquiries
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Monitors trade practices & competition-related issues • Issued Good Corporate Citizen’s Guide in 2005 & Guide II in 2006
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Consumer Education programmes • 4 major target groups: • young people • teachers • senior citizens • new immigrants
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Consumer Culture Study Award • annual event for 8th consecutive year • largest project-based learning programme for local secondary schools • 700 teams from 106 schools take part this year
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Consumer Legal Action Fund (CLAF) • HKCC is trustee • Established in 1994 • Government grant of HK$ 10 million • Provide financial support & legal assistance for consumers
Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) • Collaboration with ICRT • timely & impartial information at affordable cost • sharing of work & cost relief of resources for other working areas