The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has commissioned an independent review of the General Insurance Information Privacy Code in a bid to ensure it is meeting the needs of consumers.

ICA has appointed consultant and former NSW Consumer Affairs Minister Wendy Machin to review the code. She will consult with the Insurance Ombudsman Service, members and consumer groups throughout the review process.

“Privacy is a key part of consumer protection and it is important to ensure privacy codes are meeting their objectives and the requirements of the Privacy Commissioner,” Ms Machin said.

The review will address whether the code has met prescribed standards, whether the scope that can be dealt with is appropriate, if consumers are happy with complaint arrangements, whether the dispute resolution process is “just and reasonable” and the degree of equitable access to the code.

Written submissions on the code are due by April 30.