NCJ Number
58675
Date Published
1976
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE MEASURES AND TECHNIQUES OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IN SWEDEN ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
ATTENTION TO CONSUMER PROTECTION EMERGED IN SWEDEN IN THE 1960'S. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE EARLY 1970'S. SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES WERE DIRECTED TOWARD INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH REGARDING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND AIMED AT PROVIDING THE CONSUMER WITH BETTER MARKET INFORMATION. OTHERS WERE INTENDED TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER AGAINST INFERIOR PRODUCTS AND A VARIETY OF UNFAIR PRACTICES, WHILE GENERALLY STRENGTHENING THE POSITION OF THE BUYER VIS-A-VIS THE SELLER. ANOTHER GROUP OF MEASURES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED TO HELP A DISSATISFIED CONSUMER SEEK REDRESS IN THE COURTS OR THROUGH EXTRAJUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THOSE CASES WHERE THERE IS NO AMICABLE SETTLEMENT OF A DISPUTE. THREE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WERE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED TO ADMINISTER THE GREATER PART OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTIVITIES: THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR CONSUMER POLICIES (THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY), THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN (ADMINISTERING LAWS AGAINST UNFAIR MARKETING PRACTICES), AND THE MARKET COURT. STATUTES HAVE BEEN ENACTED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE CONSUMER TO SELECT GOODS AND SERVICES AND REMOVE FROM CIRCULATION PRODUCTS THAT ARE CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE BECAUSE OF SAFETY DEFECTS. CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS IN FORCE ARE: (1) THE 1972 LAW ON FOOD PRODUCTS, THE ENFORCEMENT OF WHICH IS SUPERVISED BY THE SWEDISH FOODSTUFFS AGENCY; (2) THE 1973 LAW ON PRODUCTS HARMFUL TO HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT; AND (3) THE 1973 LAW ON SALES TO CONSUMERS, WHICH REGULATES CERTAIN SALES METHODS AND THEIR CONDITIONS, SUCH AS DOORSTEP OR CREDIT SALES. TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR CONSUMERS TO ENFORCE THEIR RIGHTS, SWEDEN ESTABLISHED A COMPLAINTS BOARD IN 1968 TO EXAMINE CONSUMERS' CLAIMS. A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE BEFORE THE ORDINARY COURTS WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974. IN ADDITION, THE LEGAL AID SYSTEM HAS BEEN EXPANDED. (RCB)