ACR AGM 2021 – ACR calls for a human-centred post COVID-19 Recovery Plan to ensure ‘no one is left behind’

During the Annual General Meeting held virtually on 29 April 2021, the Association for Consumer Rights President Pauline Azzopardi, highlighted the initiatives of the European Commission on legislation to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable. Consumers, the environment and the climate will benefit from products that are more durable, reusable, repairable, recyclable and energy efficient.  The initiative will also address harmful chemicals in products such as textiles. This is the direction of the ACR resolutions for 2021

The president also highlighted the human-centred vision of ACR, in line with the Commission’s New Consumers Agenda, the New Recovery Plan and the Next Generation Action Plan initiatives to ensure ‘no one is left behind’ – a vision focusing on sustainable pensions for the young ones of today; the right to access to public land, the protection of vulnerable groups and the elderly from exclusion from society due to new and complex digital technology developments among others. ‘From this pandemic, we have learnt how important digital transformation is with its benefits and challenges of the digital future and this is the way forward for all’ the President concluded

The following is the approved ACR Executive Committee for 2021: President Pauline Azzopardi, Vice President Cynthia Busuttil, Hon General Secretary Grace Attard, Hon Treasurer Ms Anna Dalli, Assistant Secretary Ms Marie Demicoli and members Barbara Buttigieg, Doris Caruana and Catherine Polidano.

As in previous years, the Association dealt with a number of queries and complaints on various products and services. These include complaints on white goods, furniture, technology devices, issues concerning guarantees of renting of cars in Europe, queries re contract information of bank services, better safety measures in products and services , online shopping information and guarantees, mobile telephony, faulty tablets, late deliveries, gift vouchers, price indication, shopping during sales among others. First advice given is encouraging consumers to contact the seller and try to reach an amicable agreement. When there is the need for further action, MCCAA intervenes.

During the AGM a number of resolutions from previous years were put forward for ongoing attention, given their importance:

• Cyber security and Financial Payment: The need for a secure ecosystem
• Improving Product Safety and Market Surveillance
• Making Online Shopping Safer
• Stepping up Data Protection
• Addressing the needs of consumers and vulnerable groups in the transition to a digital society
• “Smart” Toy Safety
• Plastics, Public Health and the Environment

The ACR programme for 2021 will focus on monitoring developments of previous 2019, 2020 resolutions and the current and future priorities of the EU Commission, reflecting developments, not least as a result of the COVID-19.

The following resolutions for 2021 were approved:

• The COVID-19 crisis and the short and long term impact on society
• Sustainable Repair and Durability of Products
• Sustainable Pensions in Malta
• Addressing the Challenges of the Digital Future
• Sustainability requirements for batteries in the EU
• The involvement and participation of older people in society
• Industrial product lifetimes and consumer information
• Overview- Consumers in the COVID-19 Pandemic and
• Protecting the Public’s Right to Access Public Land and Pathways in Malta

In her concluding remarks ACR President thanked the hard-working Executive Committee members for their teamwork and for giving up their time voluntarily without which all this would not be possible. She urged all members and the general public to participate and voice their complaints and recommendations to support our work as we are sure that all have a wealth of ideas and talents to offer as together we are determined to move forward in empowering the Maltese consumer

For more information on ACR visit ACR website: www.acrmalta.com, or join us on our FB page ACR (Malta) or contact us on email: associationforconsumerrights@gmail.com

Grace Attard

General Secretary,

Association for Consumer Rights