The Re-Beginnan | Vol.2 | Issue 8
Why A New Act?
The current marketplace has n-number of products and services. The advent of global supply chains, upturn in international trade and the rapid evolution of e-commerce have introduced new delivery systems for goods and services along with new options and opportunities for consumers. This has exposed the consumer to newer kinds of unfair trade and unethical business practices.
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 lacks provisions related to e-commerce purchases, agile alternatives to complaints filing and resolution, product / service endorsers, and other aspects. Therefore, amendment to the Act had become necessary to address the multitude and continuous emerging vulnerabilities of the consumer.
The New Act:
Replacing the three-decade-old Act, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 aspires to provide a mechanism for timely, effective, and hassle-free settlement of consumer disputes. Key highlights of the Act are as follows:
The Way Forward:
Even though India has had an act (Consumer Protection Act, 1986) to protect the interest of consumers, it never delivered as it ought to. The new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 looks to further empower the consumers and protect their interests. The act will compel manufacturers & service providers to provide top quality products and services. Sellers and online selling platforms will have to tighten their socks and must follow fair trade practices by conducting continuous due diligence concerning the products or services they’re selling. Endorsers need to be vigilant before endorsing a product/service.
This act might equalise the beam balance between consumers and manufacturers/sellers/e-commerce platforms. All said and done, only time will tell how the consumer market dynamics changes with introduction of the new Act!
