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(THE GIST OF PIB) Central Consumer Protection Authority

[DECEMBER-2021]

Central Consumer Protection Authority

As part of celebrations of 75 years of Independence – ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Central Consumer Protection Authority has initiated a country-wide campaign to prevent sale of spurious and counterfeit goods that violate Quality Control Orders published by the Central Government.

About CCPA

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) was constituted under The Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The CCPA aims to protect the rights of the consumer by cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false and misleading advertisements that are detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers.
The CCPA is empowered to conduct investigations into violation of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution, order recall of unsafe goods and services, order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements, impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
It functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

About Consumer Protection Act

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 aims to provide for protection of the interests of consumers and for the said purpose, to establish authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of consumers’ disputes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Key features of the Act

Definition of consumer: A consumer is defined as a person who buys any good or avails a service for consideration. It does not include a person who obtains a good for resale or a good or service for commercial purpose.
It covers transactions through all modes including offline, and online through electronic means, teleshopping, multi-level marketing or direct selling.
The following consumer rights have been defined in the Act, including the right to:

1. be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property;
2. be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services;
3. be assured of access to a variety of goods or services at competitive prices; and
4. seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices.