Protecting Consumer Rights from Past to Future
Chairman's Message
As a statutory body for consumer protection in Hong Kong, the Consumer Council has staunchly advocated and championed consumer rights since its establishment in 1974. Almost half a century has since elapsed, yet the fact remains that every aspect of our daily life is closely connected with consumption, be it the basic necessities and price of groceries in wet markets decades ago, or the 5G internet connection, smart home appliances, online shopping and shipping in the present day. In today’s constantly evolving marketplace, the role of the Council has become more important than ever.
Core Values
- be consumer interests driven, with due regard to the concept of sustainable consumption;
- uphold fairness and justice;
- maintain openness in our activities;
- be independent and unsusceptible to undue influence;
- be accountable;
- discharge our functions proactively, constructively and with perseverance;
- and protect the privacy of personal data.
Vision & Mission
Vision
- To be the trusted voice in striving for consumer betterment towards safe and sustainable consumption in a fair and just market.
Mission
- The Council is committed to enhancing consumer welfare and empowering consumers to protect themselves. Consumers include consumers of goods and services and purchasers, mortgagors and lessees of immovable property.
- it acts as advocate for consumer interests;
- it facilitates constructive discussion and promulgation of pro-consumer policies;
- it sees to empower consumers to help themselves.
- This is to be achieved through initiatives directed at the consumers; the private sector; and networking with other stakeholders, such as the media and government.
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Message from the Chief Executive
The current consumer landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Digital transformation is not only reshaping consumption patterns, but also transcending geographical boundaries to achieve a seamlessly integrated online and offline shopping journey. In the face of increasingly diverse consumer choices, corresponding challenges have also emerged. As the guardian of consumer rights, the Consumer Council has always taken the protection of consumer interests as its mission and is committed to providing the latest consumer information and reliable protection to instil public confidence throughout the consumption process.
Consumer Council Ordinance (Cap. 216)
- Commencement: 15th July, 1977.
- Purpose
- To incorporate the Consumer Council, to define its functions and powers, to negate personal liability of members and employees for the Council's or its committees' acts or omissions, and for the connected purposes.
Functions
The Consumer Council Ordinance prescribes the following functions for the Council:
- collecting, receiving and disseminating information concerning goods and services and immovable property;
- receiving and examining complaints and giving advice to consumers of goods and services and purchasers, mortgagors and lessees of immovable property;
- taking such action as it thinks justified by information in its possession, including tendering advice to the Government or to any public officer;
- encouraging businesses and professional associations to establish codes of practice to regulate the activities of their members; and
- undertaking such other functions as the Council may adopt with the prior approval of the Chief Executive in Council.
Organisation Structure
The Council is organised with the support of a variety of committees and working groups established to deal with specific areas of consumer issues, including products testing, information technology, trade practices, legal protection, etc. Members of the committees are professionals and stakeholders drawn from different sectors of the society to provide fair and just expertise.
History of Council
