The Consumer Affairs Council

The Consumer Affairs Council have the functions and duties as stipulated in the Consumer Affairs Act, Chapter 378 of the Laws of Malta.  The Minister shall appoint the Chairman and four other members considered as being able to contribute towards the promotion of consumer interests:

A chairman;

deputy chairman;

a member representing traders;

a member representing consumer associations; and

another two members.

The appointed members shall hold office for a period of not more than three years. The deputy Chairman shall act instead of the chairman whenever the chairman is lawfully impeded or absent from a meeting of the Council.

The functions of the Council:

• to advise the Minister on measures for the promotion and protection of consumer interests;
• at the request of the Minister, to undertake or commission any study or research which may be necessary to promote consumer protection;
• to monitor the working and enforcement of laws that directly or indirectly affect the consumer in Malta;
• to act as a forum for bringing together those public authorities which in the exercise of their functions deal with situations of conflict between traders’ and consumers’ interests or have the responsibility to safeguard the interests of consumers, with a view to CONSUMER AFFAIRS [CAP. 378. 7 establishing a closer relationship of co-operation among the said not for submission to the Minister;
• to examine and determine whether a consumer association has the requirements to be a registered consumer association in accordance with this Act;
• to perform any other function or duty that may be assigned to it by the Minister or that may be assigned to the Council under this or any other law;
• notify entities wishing to act as Alternative Dispute Resolution; and
• acts as Competent Authority to designate qualified entities for the domestic and cross-border actions.

Conduct of business of Council.

>The Council shall meet as often as necessary but in no case less frequently than once every calendar month.

> A quorum at a meeting of the Council shall be constituted by the chairman, or in his absence the deputy chairman, and three other members.

>Decisions of the Council shall be taken by majority of votes of the members present and voting, the chairman shall have an original vote and in the event of equality;

>Any member of the Council who in any matter before the Council has any interest in conflict with his office as member of the Council shall disclose the nature of his interest and withdraw from any meeting of the Council during which the matter is discussed. Any such disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes.