WHAT IS THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT?

The Consumer Protection Act, No. 68 of 2008 was signed on 24 April 2009.

It aims to:

Promote a fair, accessible and sustainable marketplace for consumer products and services;

Establish national norms and standards to ensure consumer protection;

Make provision for improved standards of consumer information, to prohibit certain unfair marketing and business pr...actices;

Promote responsible consumer behaviour;

Promote a consistent legislative and enforcement framework, related to consumer transactions and agreements;

Establish the National Consumer Commission; and Replace, in a new and simplified manner, existing provisions from five acts, including the Consumer Affairs (Unfair Business Practices) Act of 1988; Trade Practices Act of 1976;Sales and Service Matters Act of 1964; Price Control Act of 1964; and Merchandise Marks Act of 1941 (specifically Sections 2-13, and 16-17).