Product Safety and 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.
A. Product Bands
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 Ban
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 Ban
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.
B. 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.
C. Standards
The ICCC is allowed to set product safety and product information standards.
D. Notices
When the ICCC investigates a consumer product, it can inform the public through a Notice.