Bill No. 9, entitled “AN ACT to amend the Consumer Affairs Act, Cap. 378 and other laws relating to consumer protection” transposes Directive (EU) 2019/2161 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and Directives 98/6/EC, 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules (the Omnibus Directive). 

In brief, the Omnibus Directive amends:

• the Unfair Contract Terms Directive 93/13/EEC,
• the Price Indications Directive 98/6/EC,
• the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC; and
• the Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU.  

The transposition of the Omnibus Directive necessitates the amendment of the Consumer Affairs Act; and of the Consumer Affairs Act (Price Indication) Regulations as well as of the Consumer Rights Regulations, respectively Subsidiary Legislation (S.L.) 378.09 and S.L. 378.17.

These User Guidelines are being published in accordance with Article 3 of the Small Business Act (Cap. 512).

The Maltese version of this document can also be accessed as follows: Linji ta’ Gwida għall-Utent.