28 August 2018
Yang Li
Vi
a FYI: [FYI request #8547 email]
Dear Mr Li
Official Information Act #18.046 Homeopathic Products
1.
We refer to your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) of 22
August 2018 for the following information, since the year the Commerce Commission
(Commission) was established:
1.1
how many complaints have been received relating to homeopathic products;
1.2
how many self-initiated investigations the Commission has made relating to
homeopathic products;
1.3
the names of the parties complained about or investigated, and the specific
claims made that triggered the complaint/investigation; and
1.4
what actions were taken in each case, and the outcome that resulted.
Scope of request
2.
The Commission was established in 1986; therefore your request encompasses a 32
year period.
3.
The Commission’s retention and disposal schedule requires us to keep complaints
material for five years, low level investigation material for seven years, and litigation
material indefinitely.
4.
The Commission received a similar OIA request in March 2017. This request was also
made via FYI.org.nz, and is publically available at
https://fyi.org.nz/request/5560-
homeopathic-products-fair-trading#incoming-18724
5.
Our response to the earlier FYI request provides the information you have requested
at [1.1] and [1.2], and part of the information you have requested at [1.4], for the
period from 16 March 2012 to 16 March 2017.
6.
In response to your request, we propose to bring the information at [1.1] and [1.2]
up to date as at 16 August 2018, and assess the material at [1.3] and additional
2
material at [1.4] for release, for the period from 16 March 2012 to 16 August 2018
(in so far as it is still available).
7.
Alternatively, we invite you to amend or clarify your request, bearing in mind the
data retention periods at [3] above. We are happy to have a discussion with you
about the way/s in which you could amend or clarify this request.
8.
If you are not satisfied with the Commission’s response to your request, section
28(3) of the OIA provides you with the right to ask an Ombudsman to investigate and
review this response. However, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss any
concerns with you first.
9.
If you have any questions in regards to this request, please do not hesitate to contact
us at
[Commerce Commission request email]
Yours sincerely
Nadine Fathers
OIA Coordinator