Agencies, associations, social organisations, businesses and consumersmust become aware of the new Vietnamese law on consumer rights'protection that will become effective on July 1, a ministry official hassaid.

Dr Vu Thi Bach Nga of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said thelaw, passed by the National Assembly late last year, consists of sixchapters and 51 articles, covering almost every aspect of consumers'rights protection.

Nga, head of the Consumer ProtectionCommittee under the Vietnam Competition Authority, said the law would bean effective legal tool to protect consumers from fraudulent practices.

"We all know about the use of hazardous DEHP in food and12 types of soft drinks. Subscribers of mobile phone services receivespam messages every day. Deceptive promotional adverts occur in manyplaces. Vietnamese consumers experience every level of consumers' rightviolations," she said.

"Consumers themselves have not beenaware of their rights. They should take action if necessary as the lawcovers almost every aspect related to these kinds of violations."

The law deals with violations of labelling, trademarks and price, anddeclaration of harmful ingredients in products like cigarettes. Inaddition, provisions are included that cover warranties and replacementof spare parts on products. Violations of contracts and generaltransactions are also dealt with in the law.

"Consumershave the right to clearly know the information on substitute spare partsof each item they buy because some parts are rare and expensive," Ngasaid.

The law also requires responsibility of the thirdparty, which provides consumer information, and services for consumersthat could be potentially harassing, such as numerous text messages sentvia mobile phone providers.

"The media is affected by lawon consumers' rights as well," Nga said. "Consumers can sue a newspaperfor printing inaccurate information about the efficacy of certain drugsor medicine without checking the facts."

The law also requires that companies provide temporary models for products that are being repaired.

"Even for a luxury car, you have the right to demand a temporarysubstitute for the car that you sent to the warranty centre. The lawrequires that," she said.

Consumers could ask for a new one if the purchased item needed three repairs during the warranty period, she added.

Lan made her remarks at a workshop held by MUTRAP III, a multilateraltrade assistance project in its third phase implemented by the EuropeanCommission to help Vietnam prepare for, carry out and follow up on WTOcommitments.

They organised three similar workshops in HCMCity, Da Nang and Hanoi to give information to agencies, organisationsand individuals nationwide.

"Now consumers have their rights. It means that there must be someone else to help them comply with the law," Nga said.

Le Danh Vinh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, told the workshopthat a decree serving as a guideline to compliance had been submitted tothe Prime Minister for approval.

Nga said People's Committees at provincial, district and ward levels would have the authority to penalise violators.

"Enforcement of the law will take time as agencies, associations,social organis-ations, producers and consumers will have to become awareof it and act accordingly in regards to compliance," said Do Gia Phanof the Vietnam Standard and Consumer Association. /.