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The inception of CASE
It was 1969 ?A passionate group of civic conscious consumers and the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) banded together to ignite a flame that sparked off a consumer movement in Singapore. Their call was direct and simple ?consumers?interests must be protected and promoted.
The timing was right. Consumers felt victimised by the increasing abuse of hire purchase practices, pork prices were escalating and there was the proposed increase in prices of bread. The public was outraged and in response to the outcry, CASE was conceived.
CASE’s contributions
Today, CASE’s commitment to consumers is burning strong. Since our inception in 1971, CASE has been active and involved in standing up for consumers?rights and responsibilities.
Being the Association for consumers in Singapore, CASE works towards hearing consumers?concerns, informing them on relevant consumer issues, educating them on their rights and responsibilities and protecting consumers?interest. CASE is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation for the people.
Trace CASE’s history
1970s
The beginning
1971:
Consumers Association of Singapore is formally constituted on 11 August 1971, with Dr Henry Ong Wah Kim as Pro-tem Chairperson and V Jayakody as Pro-tem Executive Secretary.
1972:
CASE joins International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU) as a corresponding member.
1973:
CASE forms Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) to promote ethical advertisements and establishes a Product Testing Unit.
CASE urges government to halt soaring prices and raps retailers for sugar price increases.
1974:
CASE jointly hosts the first Asia-Pacific Seminar on “Community Education for Consumer Protection?and becomes an associate member with IOCU.
1975:
CASE begins collaboration with Singapore Broadcasting Centre to start consumer radio shows and TV programmes.
The Consumer Protection (Trade Description and Safety Requirements) Act is passed with CASE’s involvement in its drafting and implementation.
1977:
CASE speaks against coffee shop price increases and conducts a joint test with Australian Consumers?Association on ballpoint pens.
1978:
CASE hits out at cinema operators for price hikes.
1979:
Bottlers and bakers taken to task.
The Health Ministry labels medicines as a result of CASE’s lobbying since 1974.
1980s
A step forward for the consumer movement
1980:
Two years of CASE lobbying results in The Environment Ministry mandating expiry date marking on certain perishable pre-packed foodstuffs.
1981:
CASE calls for Energy Labelling Scheme.
CASE voices concerns over rootless bean sprouts and exposes chain letter games.
1982:
CASE forms Toy Safety Authority of Singapore (TSAS) and Milk for Children Advisory Council (MCAC).
1983:
CASE holds the Second ASEAN Consumer Protection Seminar and begins organising seminars for the public to promote consumer awareness.
CASE starts conducting quarterly household commodities price survey.
1984:
PUB gazettes electrical extension cable reels after CASE’s push for action.
1985:
Small Claims Tribunal Act is passed after CASE’s active lobbying.
Installation of Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCBs) becomes mandatory for all homes and other buildings.
1986:
CASE establishes the Renovation and Decoration Advisory Council (RADAC).
The Copyright Act becomes law after CASE campaigning.
1987:
CASE publishes booklet on “Facts about Singapore’s Copyright Act 1987?
1988:
CASE and Singapore Tourism Promotion Board set up the Good Retailers Scheme (GRS).
1989:
CASE’s recommendations lead to scope of Hire Purchase Act being widened.
1990s
Increasing profile in fighting for consumer rights
1990:
CASE calls for a furniture traders?code.
“Good Retailers of Singapore?publication is launched.
1991:
CASE moves from its Shenton Way office to Bukit Merah Central.
CASE holds forum on unleaded petrol.
1993:
CASE voices concerns on the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
CASE holds a forum on Consumer Protection and a seminar-cum-exhibition on Product Safety.
1994:
CASE calls for ban of unsolicited pre-approved credit and charge cards. Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) responds by making it an offence.
CASE works with ASAS to ban advertisements of recalcitrant furniture trader.
1995:
CASE urges ASAS to review Singapore Code of Advertising Practice and presents it with draft Code to work on.
CASE provides suggestions on the jurisdiction of Small Claims Tribunal; wider powers are introduced for the Small Claims Tribunals.
1996:
PM Goh Chok Tong announces one-for-one dollar matching grant up to $5 million for CASE Endowment Fund at the National Day Rally.
CASE goes online. The Consumer magazine upgrades to full-colour.
1997:
CASE forms a proposed Fair Trading Legislation Committee and holds a “Fair Trading Legislation?seminar.
1998:
CASE calls for cut in fuel tax - tax reduced on 24 November 1998.
CASE urges the government to introduce a Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.
1999:
CASE starts work with industry on a code of practice for the cold chain distribution system of dairy products.
CASE welcomes the proposed amendments to the Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Selling (Prohibition) Act. Act is amended in May 2000.
CaseTrust accreditation scheme is launched.
2000 and beyond
A new chapter
2000:
CASE moves to current premises in Ghim Moh and also starts free legal counselling service.
A record $1.1 million is recovered for CASE members.
2001:
National Trust Council appoints CaseTrust as the first Authorised Code Owner to award TrustSg seal.
CASE launches CaseTrust Gold Award.
CASE goes on air with CASE Talk to answer questions from consumers on NewsRadio 93.8.
Talk on SMU campus inspires the birth of student-run SMU Consumer Action Network.
2002:
CASE collaborates with the Ministry of Health for more transparent hospital billings.
CASE supports stricter regulations on Chinese Proprietary Medicine.
2003:
CASE re-joins Consumer International as an affiliated member
CASE revises Singapore Code of Advertising Practices to ensure honest advertisements.
CASE Talk extends to Capital Radio 95.8FM to reach out to our Chinese listeners.
CASE incumbent President Mr Yeo Guat Kwang proposes Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Bill to the Parliament.
2004:
Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act takes effect as of 1 March 2004, after years of
CASE’s lobbying.
CASE sets up a Contact Centre to handle complaints and enquiries via phone calls.
Consumers can also lodge complaints online.
CaseTrust is launched for Renovation Businesses.
CaseTrust is rebranded with a new logo.
CASE starts island-wide food expiry-date survey. Subsequent surveys show big drop in retailers selling expired goods.
ASAS adds three new clauses to the Singapore Advertising Code of Practice.
CASE signs 21 MOUs with business associations and partners to promote Consumer
Protection (Fair Trading) Act and CASE mediation service
2005:
CaseTrust and Singapore Retailers Association launch Joint Accreditation for Retailers.
CASE creates a world first by signing an International Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Consumer Coordination Council (CCC) of India and a second International MOU with the Chinese Consumers?Association (CCA).
CASE becomes a member of International Consumer Research Testing (ICRT) to strengthen its research& product testing activities.
2006:
CASE organises public consultation to give views and feedback on proposed amendments to the CPFTA.
CASE and National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) launch the Joint Accreditation Scheme for the travel industry.
CASE implements the Model Agreements and Transparent Advertisements from Accredited Employment Agencies.
2007:
CASE holds first nationwide “Walk with CASE?event to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day.
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