Our Ref: S190411SN
16 April 2019
Miss Eliza Lee Man-ching, JP Permanent Secretary Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch Commerce and Economic Development Bureau 23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar Hong Kong
Dear Miss Lee
Consultation Paper on Statutory Cooling-Off Period For Beauty and Fitness Services Consumer Contracts
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce appreciates the opportunity of commenting on the subject consultation exercise. Our views on the Government’s proposals are set out in the attached.
While we agree with the intent behind the proposed legislative exercise, which is to afford provide better protection to consumers, there are reservations about the associated measures that have been put forward to achieve such an outcome. These concerns are largely attributable to (1) the addition of another layer of legislation to an existing piece of law that already addresses aggressive trade practices, (2) the absence of efforts to consider other non-regulatory options, and (3) the lack of a rigorous review prior to assess the impact of introducing such a legislative regime. The suggestion of extending statutory cooling-off periods to other sectors and practices beyond the beauty and fitness services trades is also a real cause for concern.
We hope that you will give our comments due consideration.
Yours sincerely
Shirley Yuen CEO
Encl.
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