National Roads and Motorists’ Association Ltd CTM

Overview

On 20 April 2015, the ACCC issued a Final Assessment approving an application to register a Certification Trade Mark (CTM) number 1568411 from the National Roads and Motorists’ Association Ltd (NRMA). A summary of the matter and the ACCC's decision can be found below.

Application

NRMA’s CTM application proposes to provide an independent rating system for services across Home Support, Care Homes and Retirement Villages. NRMA, assisted by Gallup Organisation Pty Ltd and COTA Australia Ltd, proposes to rate service providers on their level of consumer engagement, which will range from one owl (good levels of engagement) to three owls (excellent levels of engagement).

ACCC role

Under Part 16 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (TMA), before a CTM can be registered by IP Australia the ACCC must be satisfied that certain criteria are met. In general terms, the ACCC must be satisfied that the CTM application and corresponding rules meet the technical requirements set by the TMA and do not raise consumer protection, competition or associated concerns.

Publication: Certification trade marks: the role of the ACCC