The Consumer Protection Act, passed in 1986 and then revised in 2019, exists to protect consumers by providing solutions for complaints, promoting their rights, and preventing traders from cheating them.
Important elements of the Consumer Protection Act are:
• 1986 Act:
COPRA, as the original act was called, focused on setting up consumer councils and authorities meant to help solve consumer cases and represent their interests.
• 2019 Act:
The 1986 Act was replaced by the 2019 Act, which aimed to clear up the procedure for managing and settling consumer disputes.
• Consumer Rights:
The act recognizes six rights for consumers, being the rights to safety, information, choice, having a voice, settling complaints, and learning about consumer issues.
• Redressal Mechanisms:
Consumer forums are set up by the act under the name District, State, and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to handle disputes, as per the law.
• Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):
The CCPA was put into place by the 2019 Act to oversee consumer protection by tackling unfair trade and deceptive advertising.
• Scope of the Act:
It applies to all types of goods and services, no matter if they are bought offline or through electronic means, teleshopping, direct selling, or multi-level marketing.
• Offences and Penalties:
It includes definitions of different types of offenses and the related penalties, such as unfair trade practices, false advertisements, and selling dangerous or defective goods.
• Powers of the CCPA:
Under the CCPA, the government is able to investigate, direct actions, and impose penalties on those who break consumer rights.
• Consumer Awareness:
It aims to educate consumers so that they recognize their rights and take the right actions.
Reliefs provided by Consumer Commissions:
The commissions can order removal of defects, replacement of goods, refund of price, compensation for loss or injury, discontinuance of unfair trade practices, and issue corrective advertisements.
