Under the Guardianship of - General Secretariat for Economy and Finance

Objectives - To voice its opinion regarding policies defined by the Administration to protect consumers’ rights and promote necessary measures for the protection of those rights.

Nature - Public Institution

President of the General Assembly - Chui Sai Cheong

President of the Executive Committee - Alexandre Ho

Head Office:

Rua Inácio Baptista, no. 6- 6A, Edifício Seaview Garden, R/C Macau
Tel: 89889315 ; Fax: 28307816

Iao Hon Branch:

Rua Um (Bairro Iao Hon) no. 18 , R/C Macau
Tel: 89889315 ; Fax: 28482741

Statutory Legislation

The Consumers Council was established by Law No. 12/88/M of 13 June and subsequently restructured by Law No. 4/95/M of 12 June which revoked Articles 12-25 of the original legislation.  Later, there is the Law No. 1/98/M of 1 June which is an alteration of Law No. 4/95/M.

What is a “consumer”?

A consumer is anyone to whom goods are supplied or services are provided by a person or a group who carries out an economic activity aimed at obtaining benefit.

What are a consumer’s rights?

• The right to protection and safety related to product and service use.

• The right to accurate product instruction and information.

• The right to take action against anyone whose sold goods that cause hazard to one’s economic interests.

• The right to safeguards from and compensation for damage caused.

• The right to fair treatment.

• The right to participate in implementing policies which involve the rights or interests of consumers.

Tasks

• To voice its opinion regarding policies defined by the Administration to protect consumers’ rights and to promote necessary measures for the protection of those rights and to inform the public;
• To carry out surveys and promote special programmes to support the least favoured consumers, namely the old, handicapped and poor;
• To propose and adopt activities in furtherance of consumers’ rights among them and to inform the public;
• To encourage associations of those who represent economic and professional interests to establish a code of practice for the activities of its members;
• To judge claims and complaints lodged by consumers and bring them to the notice of the competent authorities;
• To make available a mechanism for conciliation, mediation and arbitration of minor disputes, that may arise when a consumer acquires goods or services;
• To promote the application and intensification of measures contained in the current law;

• Anything else that might be conferred by law in future.

Composition

• The Consumers’ Council is run by General Council and Executive Committee.
• The General Council is composed of eleven members, of whom not more than three can be Government employees or members of Public Administration in active service.
• The members of the General Council elect the Chairman from among their members. In the event of the Chairman’s absence or incapacity, his place may be taken temporarily by another member chosen by the Council.
• The Executive Committee consists of the Chairman, and two members appointed by the Chief Executive after taking into consideration the opinion of the General Council.