This year, 1045 businesses are awarded the 2013 'Certified Shop' emblem by Consumer Council. 13 'Certified Shops' with a score of over 95 are awarded as 'Class A Certified Shop'. Consumer Council added a grading system to its assessment mechanism of 'Certified Shop' last year to award businesses that acquire the highest class in the previous year, the Council hopes the assessment mechanism encourages 'Certified Shops' to make improvement and provide better services to consumers. This year, 13 'Certified Shops' are classified as 'Class A' and 1 of them has already been awarded for two consecutive years. The number of classes A- and B 'Certified Shops' has increased by 20 percent, making a total of 609 'Certified Shops' in the classes A to B, which amounts to approximately 100 more shops when compared to the previous year. The Council hopes all 'Certified Shops' are encouraged to earn higher marks and raise the overall standard of 'Certified Shops'. 216 shops did not pass the assessment and are not qualified for the new 'Certified Shop' emblem; the pass rate of 'Certified Shop' is 82.8 percent. Consumer Council will continue to enhance its surveillance on 'Certified Shop', better its assessment mechanism, set up codes of practice, and provide training to businesses to ensure continuous improvement of 'Certified Shops'. The award ceremony of 'Class A Certified Shop' was held on 4th December at Macau Fisherman's Wharf, over 50 representatives from different organizations were also awarded certificates for their continuous support as consultants of the 'Consumer Arbitration Centre'.
