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Johannesburg - The proposed Consumer Goods and Services Industry (GSC) Code of Conduct, which would make it compulsory for suppliers of consumer goods and services to register with the Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman (CGSO), is poised to be approved in the near future.
The code would, if approved, give the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud compulsory jurisdiction over everyone involved in the consumer goods and services supply chain, except the motor industry and any entity already regulated elsewhere.
"This would be good news for consumers and the CGSO," said Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman Adv. Neville Melville. "Up to this point, if a consumer had a complaint against a supplier who was not a voluntary participant in the scheme, we could only assist if the supplier agreed to cooperate with us. This does not always happen."
Following the approval of a similar code of conduct in the motor industry by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Melville said he is confident that the CGS Codes will be next in line.
The CGS Code was re-published for public comment on October 3 2014. The department of trade and industry is currently considering the public comments received and analysing the proposed CGS Code for suitability. In terms of the proposed code, all participants in the industry must register with CGSO and contribute towards its operating costs.
Melville is planning to implement the change from March 1 2015, even if a sooner date is set by the minister, to enable those suppliers who have not already done so to budget for their contributions.
The founding members of CGSO, who have already committed themselves to complying with the Code and subjecting themselves to CGSO's jurisdiction, are: Massmart, Pick n Pay, Spar, Woolworths, Tiger Brands, Unilever SA, BAT, Rainbow Farms, Tongaat Hulett Sugar, Ellerines Furnishers, JD Group, Lewis Group, L'Oreal SA, Mr Price Group, MTN, Oceana, Bergzicht Furnishers, Tafelberg Furniture, Shoprite Checkers, Premier Foods, Pernod Ricard, Lee-Chem Laboratories and Nestlé.
