The Consumer Protection Public Naming of Traders Policy was reviewed and updated in June 2019.

“Naming” is the public identification of a trader reasonably suspected of contravening the Australian Consumer Law or other Consumer Protection legislation for the purpose of quickly informing the public and protecting them from personal or financial harm.  While the policy refers to the naming of “traders”, warnings may relate to specific products, services or business practices.

The Policy promotes a consistent approach to the public naming of traders.  It ensures naming occurs only when the truth of allegations is reasonably established and it is in the public interest to issue a warning.  The Policy balances the risk of issuing a warning against the need to safeguard reputations, and ensures that naming is done in accordance with correct legal processes and requirements.

The Public Naming of Traders Policy covers:

• the purposes of naming a trader; and
• the procedures which are to be followed.

Other Consumer Protection policies are also available.