House Bill No. 8-80-6 introduced by Dels. Horace Rafael, Lentcer Basilius and Rebluud Kesolei during the start of the April regular session , Tuesday also wants to put in place a law which will provide consumers the right to return or exchange goods bought in a store that are defective.
“The Olbiil Era Kelulau finds that protections currently available to the Republic’s consumer/store owner disputes would be beneficial to both parties in reducing the cost and expense involved,” the bill said.
Under the present law, sale of foodstuffs past the date of expiration has a fine of $500.
A store found to be violating the regulation may be subject to closure. The prosecution is up to the Attorney General’s Office.
The current law was created during the Trust Territory Administration that “unfair or deceptive business practices may be remedied through court action.”
In the proposed bill, it added that Congress is also aware that there have been increasing complaints about businesses which refuse to allow exchanges or returns under any circumstances.
The delegates have proposed amendments to the law that allows right to return or exchange.
The measure added that in case of dispute between the buyer and the store owner, mediation is authorized.
The process will be is that upon receiving a complaint about a violation from an aggrieved buyer or seller, the Attorney General may invite both parties to voluntary mediation session in which a neutral party gives each side an opportunity to present their side of the conflict and assist the two sides reach an agreement.
The bill noted that the mediation process will be confidential.
However the current law is not being enforced strictly, the Environmental Health in earlier interviews said that they did not have to recommend any company for citation because they usually comply to have spoiled or expired goods removed from the shelves.
Once goods are declared contaminated the division will seize and destroy it.
However a check of some stores still showed that goods past their expiration date are still being sold to the consumers.
