Know about Consumer Protection Act

1
Consumer Protection Act, Objectives, Purpose and
Rights and Duties
2
Introduction

• The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (CPA 1986)
  was enacted on the principle of caveat emptor or
  let the buyer beware. However, the digital
  transformation has profoundly impacted the
  consumer habits, changing the ways in which
  consumers interact with each other, and the
  marketplace. Through the Consumer Protection Act,
  2019 (CPA 2019), the prevalent consumer laws
  have been overhauled. The codification of certain
  statutory rights applicable to all consumers
  vis-a-vis the quality, quantity, prices,
  information about the product, etc is a testament
  to the objectives sought from CPA 2019.

3
Objectives of Consumer Protection Act

• 1. To Provide better and all round protection to
  consumer.
• 2. To Provide machinery for the speedy redressal
  of the grievances.
• 3. To Create framework for consumers to seek
  redressal.
• 4. To Provide rights to consumers.
• 5. To Safeguard rights of Consumers.

4
Purpose of the Consumer Protection Act

• The purpose of the Consumer Protection Act is to
  prevent consumers from being exploited and
  harmed. The new Consumer Protection Act protects
  consumer rights in South Africa and highlights
  what consumers are entitled to, as well as the
  responsibility of suppliers of goods and
  services.

5
Rights and Duties of a Consumer

• The Consumer Protection Act has recognised six
  rights of a consumer which are
• Right to Safety
• Right to Information
• Right to Choose
• Right to be heard
• Right to Redressal
• Right to Consumer Education

6
Who Can File a Complaint?

• According to sec-2(1)(b) a complainant can be a
  person who is
• A consumer
• Any voluntary consumer association registered
  under the Companies Act of 1956 or under any
  other law for the time being in force, or
• The Central Government or any State Government,
  who or which makes a complaint, or
• One or more consumers, where there is more than
  one consumer they shall have the same interest
  for filing a collective complaint, or
• In the case of death of a consumer, his legal
  heir or representative who or which makes a
  complaint.

7
Conclusion

• The Consumer Protection Act has proved to be a
  helping hand to the consumers and protected them
  from being exploited in the hands of huge
  companies and famous traders. The traders and the
  firms are still working on how to make huge
  profits and one of the ways is by exploiting the
  consumer. Corresponding to this the Legislature
  and the Judiciary are making amendments in the
  act from time to time but the consumer himself
  needs to be careful and aware of the people in
  the market.