The mission of the ICCC is to protect, educate, and empower consumers, while also promoting a level playing field for businesses. The Commission achieves this through various initiatives, including compliance monitoring, enforcement actions, trade measurement regulation, and product safety standards.
In consumer protection, the key functions of the ICCC are:
To formulate and submit to the Minister policies in the interest of consumers.
To Consider and examine and where necessary, advise the Minister on the consolidation or updating of legislation providing protection to the consumer in the areas of public health, trade and commerce, motor vehicles and motor vehicles insurance, price surveillance and control, services and such other areas may be required, and;
To Consider and examine and where necessary, advise the Minister on the consolidation or updating of legislation providing protection to the consumer in the areas of public health, trade and commerce, motor vehicles and motor vehicles insurance, price surveillance and control, services and such other areas may be required, and;
Other ICCC Functions
Creating awareness and promoting consumer rights and interests following the law,
Conducting investigations and taking appropriate action concerning potential breaches of the consumer protection law,
Monitoring consumer product safety by conducting market surveys and monitoring international developments,
Issuing warning notices on potentially unsafe goods, developing consumer product and information standards, and introducing ‘interim’ bans and permanent bans on unsafe or potentially unsafe goods,
Conducting product recalls on unsafe goods,
Conduct marketplace surveys on pricing of declared goods and services and that the appropriate service standards are followed,
Undertaking checks, and inspections of various weighting and measuring instruments used by the relevant industries (such as manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing, service, etc.) and,
Monitoring the marketplace to ensure correct pricing of fuel and regulated services and the appropriate service standards are followed.
Compliance
A key function of CPD is to ensure that there is a promotion of compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations. A compliance sweep inspection is conducted quarterly over 2 – 3 weeks. This involves intensive enforcement engagement and spot inspection exercises targeting businesses according to the main core functions of the consumer protection law. The activities undertaken in the compliance sweep inspection are:
Pricing (prices of declared goods/products and services including other essential/basic items); and
Health & Safety (Banned products, counterfeits, sub-standard items, damaged and expired goods, food preparation and storage areas, etc.),
Packaging & Labelling/Bread (products that do not meet the approved packaging and labeling requirements); and
Trade Measurement Identification of non-automatic weighing and measuring instruments under the class III category (NAWI).
As the ICCC ensures transparency and accountability in its efforts to safeguard consumer rights, the reports generated by the ICCC serve as valuable resources for understanding market trends, identifying potential issues, and formulating effective policies to protect consumers.
Enforcement
The ICCC investigates complaints, gathers evidence, and takes appropriate actions to address violations of consumer rights. By holding accountable those who engage in unfair or deceptive practices, the ICCC promotes a marketplace that prioritizes consumer welfare.
Complaints
The ICCC actively encourages consumers to report complaints related to unfair practices, misleading information, or product safety and product information issues. Any matters relating to the supply of goods and services can be reported to the ICCC.
Investigations
Once a complaint is before the Commission, the ICCC will assess it for two (2) weeks and recommend appropriate actions. During this time, timely advice will be forthcoming from the ICCC.
Trade Measurement
Trade measurement is an important component of consumer protection. The ICCC ensures that traders accurately measure and mark products with accurate information to give consumers confidence and transparency in commercial transactions. In the Commission’s certification process, traders’ instruments that are used for trade must meet the required standards and adhere to trade measurement regulations are certified under the Trade Measurement Act and Regulation. Consumers can trust certified traders to provide accurate weights, measures, and quantities, ensuring a fair and trustworthy marketplace.
Certified TM Traders
The ICCC certifies measuring instruments that are used for trade. Below is the list of traders the ICCC has certified by year:
Registered Weighman
When an organization has set up a weighbridge for public use, the operator of that weighbridge must register with the ICCC as a weighman.
Client Registration Form
When a company purchases new measuring instruments that will be used to charge consumers, they have the instrument inspected and certified by the ICCC.
It is illegal for companies to use uncertified measuring instruments to charge customers. Therefore, businesses must register their measuring instruments by filling out this form.
Product Safety & Information Standards
Product safety and information standards are fundamental to protecting consumers from potential risks. The ICCC investigates product safety concerns, issuing interim bans or permanent bans on products that pose significant hazards.
Product Ban
The ICCC can impose bans on products that are deemed to likely create serious illness or cause serious injury or an imminent risk of death. The ICCC can either impose an interim ban for 18 months or a permanent ban. Any person or persons found supplying products banned may be liable to a penalty of up to K100, 000 or imprisonment of up to 2 years if found guilty by the court.
Interim Bans
Interim bans are temporary product bans that the ICCC imposes for 18 months. During this temporary ban, the products under this ban are not allowed to be supplied or sold in the market for 18 months.
Permanent Bans
Permanent bans are product bans that the ICCC imposes permanently. During this ban, the products under this ban are not allowed to be supplied or sold in the market.
Export Bans
In instances where a locally manufactured product fails to meet the requirements of a consumer safety standard or becomes subject to an interim or permanent ban under the ICCC Act, the ICCC can prohibit the exportation of the product from Papua New Guinea.
Product Safety Investigations
The ICCC is allowed to undertake investigations into products that are deemed to likely create serious illness or cause serious injury or an imminent risk of death.
Standards
The ICCC is allowed to undertake investigations into products that are deemed to likely create serious illness or cause serious injury or an imminent risk of death.
Notices
When the ICCC investigates a consumer product, it can inform the public through a Notice.
Brand Approvals
As part of its compliance work, the ICCC approves Brands of products under the Packaging Act and Regulation.
Clients are required to submit:
Brand Approval Application
Receipt of Payment from the ICCC
Copy of Trademark certificate of Trademark lodgement serial number; and
Copy of Artwork and Product Information
Once all these requirements are submitted, there is a 2-week turnaround time when the ICCC will issue a Brand Approval Notice. This Brand Approval Notice will then be gazetted by the Minister in the National Gazette as an ‘approved brand’.
While Brand Approval from the ICCC is not mandatory, the ICCC would strongly recommend companies and businesses come forward voluntarily to have their Brands registered with the ICCC.
Awareness
Awareness is a key area in consumer protection hence the ICCC strives to promote awareness among businesses and consumers alike in PNG. The ICCC recognises that for consumer protection laws to be effective, it is essential for consumers to be aware of their rights and the roles of the ICCC. Businesses also must be aware of their responsibilities and the requirements for proper market conducts so consumer welfare is upheld.
Monthly Awareness
Monthly consumer awareness activities are conducted at the 4 regional offices of the ICCC;
World Consumer Rights Day
This day is commemorated annually at the 4 regional offices of the ICCC, on the 15th March, in collaboration with Consumer International, where consumers are educated about their consumer rights and responsibilities;
Other Events
The CCERF (Papua New Guinea Consumer, Competition & Economic Regulation Forum) is an avenue that the ICCC utilises twice a year to bring awareness to the business community about business responsibilities in consumer protection.
Stakeholder Engagements
As part of our Commitment to Consumer Protection, the ICCC also engages with stakeholders at various levels.
ICCC Agents
The ICCC through its MOU signings with provincial administrations has ensured that there are ICCC agents act as liaisons between the ICCC and consumers, businesses, and industry associations in these provinces. The ICCC Agents have been empowered to carry out functions such as receiving and considering consumer complaints and queries, gathering information or data on prices/fares declared goods & services, monitoring minimum service standards of regulated industries/entities and business conduct, and then reporting them to the ICCC.
Some of the specific duties for the ICCC Agents include:
Receiving and reporting consumer issues/complaints;
Monitoring and enforcing PMV and taxi fares;
Monitoring prices of Declared Goods;
Monitoring and enforcing Indicative Retail Prices on fuel;
Carrying out Product Safety inspections;
Monitoring and reporting on the performance of regulated service providers;
Collaborating with relevant provincial-based stakeholders such as the Provincial Health Authorities, Urban Local Level Government/town authority, the Commerce Advisor, PNG Power Limited, Water PNG, including others and taking joint-enforcement action on consumer issues that fall outside the ICCC’s mandate; and
Identifying and reporting on the use of Trade Measurement (TM) equipment by businesses in the province.
Inter-Agency Memorandum of Understandings
One of the aims of the ICCC is a whole-of-government approach to consumer protection. A key strategy the ICCC uses is signing MoUs with government and state agencies to promote consumer protection and interests. These MoUs enhance collaboration, enabling coordinated efforts to protect consumer rights and ensure fair competition. By sharing resources and expertise, the ICCC and other government agencies can effectively address issues that span sectors, promoting economic growth and safeguarding consumer interests.
The ICCC has MoUs with the following government agencies:
These Busniess Development Officers are located in the following Provinces:
Autonomous Region of Bougainville
West New Britain Province
Manus Province
East Sepik Province
Sandaun Province
Madang Province
Milne Bay Province
Western Province
Enga Province
Chimbu Province
Western Highlands Province
Consumer Protection and Competition Consultative Committee (CPCCC)
The ICCC encourages the ICCC to engage with stakeholders (Government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs).
The establishment of the CPCCC as an informal forum brings together departments and agencies of Government, industry, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss and debate consumer protection and competition matters relating to the ICCC Act; enabling legislation of the Commission; and the work of the ICCC as it relates to Government policy and industry operations.
The ICCC hosts these meetings twice a year to bring awareness to the business community about business responsibilities in consumer protection.
International Engagement
The ICCC also works in collaboration with international consumer agencies with a wealth of diverse experiences, insights, and best practices in consumer protection. The interaction with these agencies enables the ICCC to enhance its strategies, policies, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring that the rights and interests of PNG consumers are safeguarded more effectively. Moreover, this partnership fosters cross-border cooperation in addressing transnational consumer issues, contributing to a safer and more informed marketplace for PNG consumers.
The ICCC has international engagements through networks such as:
International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network;
SIRIM (Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia)
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Pacific Islands Network for Competition, Consumer and Economic Regulation
Consumer International