Price and Refund Policies Must Be Posted at Sports Facilities Going Forward

Fair Trade Commission Revises and Implements 'Important Labeling and Advertising Notices'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] From now on, consumers must be clearly informed about service details, fees, and refund policies before reaching the stage of filling out the registration application form. Important information must be displayed both at the business premises and on the registration application form.

The Fair Trade Commission announced that it will revise and implement the "Important Display and Advertising Items Notice" from the 27th, requiring the display and advertisement of key information that influences consumers' rational purchasing decisions.

Among the sports facilities businesses registered under the Physical Fitness Facilities Act (including swimming pools, golf practice ranges, fitness centers, artificial climbing walls, and 17 other types), comprehensive sports facilities operated by the same person at one location with two or more types of sports facilities including indoor swimming pools, as well as swimming pool businesses and fitness center businesses, are currently required to selectively display specific service details, fee structures, and refund policies either at the business premises or on the registration application form. However, since operators mainly displayed prices only on the registration application form, it was difficult to consider that sufficient information was provided to consumers in advance.

Therefore, the regulation has been improved to require the display of important information on both the business premises and the registration application form so that consumers can clearly understand service details, fees, and refund policies before filling out the registration application form.

Additionally, compliance requirements for personal mobility device users must also be displayed. As demand for personal mobility devices has increased, the number of accidents has also steadily risen, highlighting the need to strengthen consumer safety by providing information on compliance requirements during use.

Accordingly, manufacturers, sellers, and rental businesses of personal mobility devices are required to display that violation of compliance requirements stipulated as punishable under the Road Traffic Act may result in fines or penalties.

A Fair Trade Commission official stated, "By strengthening the provision of information on services, prices, and refund policies of sports facilities, we support consumers' rational choices and induce price stabilization through market competition. At the same time, by providing information on compliance requirements when using personal mobility devices such as electric kickboards, consumer safety can be further enhanced. The Fair Trade Commission plans to continuously expand information provision to consumers through Consumer24 and other channels to promote rational consumer choices and enhance consumer safety."