The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposes to grant authorisation for five years to the Clean Energy Council Limited (CEC) for a voluntary code of conduct for solar photovoltaic (PV) retail businesses.
The proposed Code sets standards for the marketing and sale of solar PV systems for retail businesses, in addition to existing obligations for businesses under consumer protection legislation.
The CEC is a not-for-profit association responsible for the accreditation of PV designers and installers. Under these arrangements, the CEC has the power to penalise any accredited installer that fails to install a PV system to the relevant Australian Standard. However, retailers that sub-contract installers are not covered by a mandatory standard other than existing consumer protection legislation.
The Code is voluntary and will impose standards on retail businesses selling solar PV systems who elect to become signatories, which will benefit consumers and the industry.
“The purchase of solar PV systems is generally a one off but can be complicated and may involve dealing with a number of different parties,” ACCC Deputy Chair Michael Schaper said.
“The Code will promote consumer confidence in the PV sector by providing consumers with information to assist in purchasing decisions and also promote compliance by PV retailers through sanctions and public re porting mechanisms,” Dr Schaper said.
The ACCC is proposing to authorise the CEC Code for five years.
Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.
The ACCC is now seeking submissions on the draft determination. Further information is available from the Authorisations register.