The act is aimed at promoting fairness, openness and good business practice between the suppliers of goods or services and consumers of such goods and services. The automotive industry is the leading south african industry, in respect of establishing policies and procedures for the protection and enforcement of consumer rights. Press release consumer goods council of south africa. Fawzia khan december is traditionally the time of the year when we as consumers, splurge on often high value purchases, either on our loved ones or ourselves. Our board consumer goods council of south africa cgcsa.
Due to the extremely high call volumes received on a daily basis, our office lines will be open from 8. Not only is this our first south african map, but the essential south africa is also our first guidemap. The consumer items south africans complain about the most. It has been in effect since 1 april 2011 and in case you thought that was just a cruel government april fools joke, it wasnt there really is a new consumer act, and it is worth your while to be aware of your rights. The consumer protection act, 2008, will come into effect on 31 march 2011. The act sets out the minimum requirements to ensure adequate consumer protection in south africa. Protection of consumer rights and consumers voice part a consumers rights 68. Despite the increasing number of countries that have enshrined consumer rights as fundamental human rights in their constitutions, opinions remain divided on the legitimacy of recognising consumer rights as human rights. Lawyers network provides online legal help south africa. This report explores opportunities for consumer product companies to get ahead of the shifting consumer trends in the food industry. Welcome to the official south african government online.
In 1960 the white government held a referendum to decide whether south africa would become a republic. Consumer rights are generally a reference to a body of law that pertains to things the producers of goods must do to protect customers from harm. The map is also freely available for anyone to use in print quality 1,200 dpi a4 or 2,400 dpi a3. South africa consumer goods and retail analysis and data. The south african consumer goods and services ombudsman cgso has revealed a list of the most complained about products. The consumer protection act and crossborder transactions. Consumer rights how and where to file complaints south africa. This south africa map is available and free to use, in large format 700 x 600 pixels, on your website or in your research papers and projects. The consumer protection act further outlines these key consumer rights, of which all south african consumers should be aware.
In south africa, however, the consumer movement lagged behind the united nations guidelines for consumer protection, largely a result of international isolation. Please note that although we have multiple incoming lines, the lines have been very busy owing to the large amount of disputes, if you. Strengthening consumer protection in the south african. To promote a fair, accessible and sustainable marketplace for consumer products and services and for that purpose to establish national norms and standards relating to consumer protection, to provide for improved standards of consumer information. The fundamental consumer rights that are protected by the cpa are the right to equality in the consumer market, 8. But many companies dont know how to translate this potential into action, because of a dearth of market research.
In 2003 the south african government heard parliamentary testimony of abusive practices prevalent. The consumer protection act your guide to consumer rights. The bill of rights contains the rights of all the people in south africa consumer rights law, consumer rights laws, laws, law firm, lawyers. The national consumer protection act western cape government. The motor industry ombudsman of south africa miosa was accredited by the department of trade and industry on 3 october 2014 and provides a welcome forum for the resolution of. Winter has arrived in south africa and it is time to brace its chill by stocking up on your winter essentials. Consumer recourse to credit credit and debit cards as well as online payments are the most common means of payment in south africa. He was chairman of business against crime bac, gauteng in 1997.
South africas tough economic environment, promoting closer collaboration between businesses, intraafrica trade and investment, digital innovation and cybercrime top the list of topics to be discussed at the annual consumer goods council of south africa cgcsa summit from 4. In creating this guidemap we have tried to bring together our experience in mapping as well as our interest and thirst for travel, exploration and adventure. Republic of south africa consumer protection act iriphabhuliki yaseningizimu afrika umthetho wokuvikelwa kwabathengi no 68, 2008. E it therefore enacted by the parliament of the republic of south africa. The consumer protection act and the bill of rights allow consumer certain rights and these include the following.
Fundamental rights the consumer protection act south africa the consumer protection act. Many consumers do not understand the cpa, its purpose. South africaconsumer rights law lawyers, attorney, solicitor, injury. Doug chairs up the consumer goods council of south africa anticrime initiative since 2000. Up until four years ago, the consumers of south africa were basically left unprotected and vulnerable to exploitation by suppliers of goods and services.
This gave rights to the white minority but took away the right to vote of the majority of south africans. Established in 1974, scdca has more than forty years of experience in protecting south carolina consumers while recognizing those businesses that act. Get the most recent information on south australias response to the coronavirus pandemic. South africaconsumer rights how and where to file complaints lawyers, attorney, solicitor, injury. Protection of consumer rights and consumer s voice part a consumer s rights 68. This article discusses the definition and the rights of the consumer when returning goods to the supplier as. In order to meet consumption needs, the majority of households use indebtedness and loans to households have increased in 2018.
South africa consumer goods and retail service offers analysis, data and forecasts from the eiu to support industry executives decisionmaking. South africas new consumer protection act aims to provide the consumer with certain rights and protection. In 2011, the consumer protection act cpa came into effect and the south african consumer saw the dawn of a new era. Government condemns any form of violence against women and children read more.
Every transaction occurring within the republic of south africa goods or services that are supplied or performed, in the republic, in. Disappointing black friday suggests uncertain outlook for christmas season shopping. These laws have come into existence through a series of legal disputes, and have been shaped by the results of those cases. On 31 may 1961 south africa was declared a republic. The south carolina department of consumer affairs scdca department is the states consumer protection agency. Right to equality in the consumer market and protection against discriminatory marketing practices. As a consumer you have certain rights and you must know your rights and consumers should be aware that they are entitled to enforce their rights. Consumer protection act, no 68 of 2008 legal legal and. Road map to the future and digital transformation in property. The consumer protection act, 2008, no 68 of 2008 was signed into law on 24 april 2009. New tech tools take hold and consumer behaviour moves ever faster towards instant. The purpose of the cpa is to promote and protect the rights of south african consumers and this protection could, potentially, extend to offshore transactions involving south african consumers. Not only does your submission to the consumer protection commission cpc serve you in your efforts to receive justice. Van schaik bookstore acknowledges and supports the act.
Section 69 of the consumer protection act, no 68 of 2008 cpa sets out a variety of statutory remedies for the enforcement of consumer rights under the cpa. These include filing a complaint with the national consumer commission commission, referring a dispute to the consumer tribunal tribunal or approaching an industry ombud. Kindly forward your complaint in writing as indicated below. While more south africans participated in the black friday shopping event in 2018 compared to the preceding year, the average spend per. To comply with the principles of the act in all our dealings with our customers, whether it be marketing, the sale of goods and after sales service. The introduction of the consumer protection act cpa 68 of 2008 has brought significant changes to business practice in south africa. The impact of section 22 of the consumer protection act. The bill of rights enshrines the rights of all south africans including these rights. By law, south african consumers have the right to be heard, to safety, to redress, to be informed, to choice, to consumer education, to the satisfaction of basic needs, and to a healthy environment. In 2004, a national consumer survey by the department of trade and industry showed that south african consumers do not have a clear idea of what their consumer rights are.
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