ESTABLISHED IN 1973, THE OFFICE IS A GOVERNMENT-FUNDED PUBLIC AGENCY COMPARABLE TO U.S. REGULATORY AGENCIES. ITS GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN TRADERS AND CONSUMERS, RATHER THAN TO BE A CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS INCLUDE PROPOSING NEW LAWS, DEALING WITH BUSINESSES WHICH VIOLATE LAWS OR BREAK CIVIL OBLIGATIONS, ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT BY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS OF CODES OF PRACTICE INCLUDING COMPLAINT AND ARBITRATION PROCEDURES, AND PUBLISHING INFORMATION AND ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS. THE OFFICE'S DIRECTOR GENERAL MAY REPORT PROBLEMS AND PROPOSE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF UNFAIR PRACTICES. IN THE AREA OF CONSUMER CREDIT, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL REVIEWS LICENSE APPLICATIONS FROM BUSINESSES AND HAS PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONSUMER CREDIT ACT. ACTIVITIES REGARDING MONOPOLIES AND MERGERS CONSIST MAINLY OF MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMENDING ACTION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. IN THE AREA OF TRADE PRACTICES, THE OFFICE HAS A MAJOR ROLE IN REVIEWING AND REGULATING REGISTRABLE RESTRICTIVE TRADE AGREEMENTS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUCH AGREEMENTS ARE IN THE PUBIC INTEREST. OTHER AREAS OF ACTIVITY INCLUDE RESALE PRICES, COMPETITION RULES, AND INFORMATION SERVICES. SO FAR, THE OFFICE HAS MAINTAINED A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN BUSINESS AND CONSUMER INTERESTS. AN APPENDIX PRESENTS AN EVALUATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SERVICING CODE. (CFW)