ACMA consults on telemarketing standard

ACMA has launched a consultation on the proposed reintroduction of the industry standard covering telemarketing and research calls.

The current industry standard is due to sunset in April next year and must be reintroduced to satisfy the requirements of the Telecommunications Act.

ACMA is proposing to make some tweaks to the current standard to coincide with its reintroduction. The major new addition would be a requirement for telemarketers to immediately provide the name of the calling company.

Other changes would involve removing rules that have proven to be surplus to requirements, such as requiring that individuals making the call also provide their own identification.

Regulations governing the provision of contact details would meanwhile be expanded and refined to introduce an express requirement that telemarketers provide contact details including a registered business name on request and a phone number capable of receiving return calls that remains available for at least 30 days.

“The standard provides some important and longstanding community safeguards in relation to telemarketing and research industry calls,” acting ACMA Chairman Richard Bean said.

“The ACMA welcomes views from interested parties in relation to the continued application of these safeguards and the proposed changes.”

Under the current industry standard, telemarketers are also prohibited from placing calls before 9 am or after 8 pm on weekdays and before 9 am or after 5 pm on Saturday, as well as on Sundays and public holidays.

Research calls have the same prohibitions, except they may be placed during 9 am and 5 pm on Sunday and until 8.30 pm on weekdays.

Image courtesy of Jon Phillips under CC