Inquiries and complaints made to the ACCC from small businesses continue to grow, topping more than 7,600 contacts in the first half of 2016.
The findings are from the ACCC’s six-monthly Small Business In Focus report #12, which provides an update on key developments in the small business, franchising and agriculture sectors.
“The number of small businesses contacting the ACCC with concerns has risen steadily over the past few years,” ACCC Deputy Chairman Dr Michael Schaper said. “The current review of the Australian Consumer Law [ACL] provides a valuable opportunity for small business to speak up and ensure that their concerns are taken into account during that process.
“Concerns about changes to new credit card surcharging laws in September, and new changes to the ACL that will extend protections from unfair contract terms in business-to-business dealings in November are expected to generate significant interest from the small-business community.”
The ACCC has prepared advice for small business on the new credit card surcharging laws (Excessive payment surcharges) and new Unfair Contract Term protections (Business-to-business unfair contract terms).
