Guidelines for businesses making claims about the impact of the carbon price have been released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), said Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury.
The Carbon Price Claims - Guide for Business provides information for businesses to refer to when they seek to make claims about the impact of the price on carbon on the price of their goods and services.
"Using these guidelines, the ACCC will be helping to educate businesses on their obligations to not make false or misleading statements about the impact of the carbon price on the prices they charge consumers," said Mr Bradbury.
"While business costs change frequently and prices can increase at any time, the carbon price is expected to have only a modest impact on most prices.
"These guidelines make it clear that businesses cannot make misleading representations about price increases which are attributed to the impact of the carbon price.
"The Government has provided $12.8 million for the ACCC to guide, educate and where necessary crackdown on businesses that seek to mislead their customers about the impact of putting a price on carbon pollution.
"The ACCC will use its powers under the newly introduced Australian Consumer Law to investigate and prosecute any such business with the power to seek penalties of up to $1.1 million.
"While we recognise that the vast majority of businesses will do the right thing, the Government has provided this funding to help stop the small number of businesses that may try to take advantage of their customers with false and misleading claims about the impact of the carbon price."
The Carbon Price Claims - Guide for Business can be found on the ACCC website [www.accc.gov.au/carbon]15 November 2011