What types of harsh business methods are being discussed?
In the Sterra case, CCCS discovered that the business made false and inconsequential assertions about the manufacture of air and water filters in Singapore, the quality of its tap water, and about discounted pricing.
Unfair trade practices that are covered by the Consumer Protection ( Fair Trading ) Act are listed in the Second Schedule of the law.
It’s not an exhaustive list, but these practices include , representing a product to have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, components, qualities, uses or benefits- that it does n’t actually have.
It is also cruel to mislead the user that a solution is required. So is it necessary or desirable to make it seem like a maintenance or replacement is necessary or desired?
What exactly are CASE and CCCS capable of?
CASE is informally warn the violating merchant or enter an agreement where the retailer agrees to end the cruel practice and pay the enraged customer.
However, there are limitations because CASE may force businesses to participate, according to lawyers who have previously told CNA.
CASE will negotiate on their behalf, but affected users also have to pay membership and operational costs.
That’s unless they belong to a union or company that’s now a State part.
On the other hand, CCCS gathers data on unfair trade practices, requests courtroom orders to require suppliers to quit them, and ensures stores follow those directions.
It does not, however, have the authority on its own to great the store.
However, if the store disobeys the court’s ruling, it may be held accountable for contempt of court. This is a criminal offense that can result in a fine or prison name.
If a merchant refuses to provide information, damages or falsifies information, lies, or otherwise impedes CCCS’ investigation into unfair practices, it may be guilty of an offence as well.