NSW Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin is encouraging the state’s consumers to be confident in asserting their rights under the new Australian Consumer Law.

Mr Griffin said tomorrow, 15 March, was World Consumer Rights Day and commemorates the historic address by US President John F. Kennedy to the US Congress in March 1962 in which he outlined his vision of consumer rights.

“This was the first time any politician had formerly set out such principles,” he said.

“Under Australia’s new national consumer law that came into effect on 1 January this year, consumers automatically get guarantees from businesses that provide goods or services. The new guarantees replace statutory implied warranties and more clearly set out consumer rights and responsibilities.”

Mr Griffin encouraged NSW residents to learn more about the new law and seek help or advice when they found themselves in dispute.

“Consumer guarantees set out rights and responsibilities when something goes wrong with goods or services,” he said. “They apply to goods and services bought on or after 1 January 2011 by a consumer from a supplier or manufacturer.”

They apply to:

• any type of goods or services costing up to $40,000
• goods or services costing more than $40,000 which are normally used for personal, domestic or household purposes
• a vehicle or trailer used mainly to transport goods.

“Whether you’re dealing with a retailer, manufacturer or service provider, you can use the guarantees to get a problem fixed when goods or services fail to measure up,” Mr Griffin said.

“Whoever sold the goods or services, or made the goods, must fix a problem when they fail to meet the guarantees. Consumers will be able to turn to the importers if the manufacturer does not have an office in Australia.”

Mr Griffin said consumers would also be able to use consumer guarantees to insist a supplier deal with a defective product, regardless of whether they have a manufacturer’s warranty.

“Consumers should no longer get caught in the middle, while the supplier and manufacturer argue over who is responsible,” he said. “The guarantees also apply to leased, hired and second-hand goods.”

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