CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1986

The Consumer Protection Act 1986 social welfare legislation enacted as a result
of widespread consumer protection movement. Enactment of this act is to provide
for the better protection of the interests of the consumer and to make provision
s for establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for settlement of
consumer disputes and matter therewith connected.
Purpose of the act:
An Act to provide for the better protection of the interest of consumers and for
that purpose to make provision for the establishment of consumer councils and o
ther authorities for the settlement of consumers¶ disputes and for matters connect
ed therewith.
Objectives
Right to consumer education
Every consumer has the right to information about the products in the market and
for the proper functioning of the legal system .So it is necessary that the kno
wledge of the availability of a legal remedy should be widely explained, adverti
sed and circulated, so that people as a whole become conscious of their rights.
Right to safety
The consumer has a right to be protected against marketing of goods which are ha
zardous to life and property of the consumers.
Right to seek redressal
Right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or their unscrupulous exp
loitation. The consumer should have some means of redress when goods fail to liv
e up to their promise or indeed cause injury.
Right to be heard
The right to be heard also includes the right to be assured that the consumer in
terest will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. The consumer disput
es should be resolved in a fair and expeditions manner.
Right to choose
Right to choose means the right to be assured. Wherever possible, access to a va
riety of goods and services at competitive prices. To provide consumers with the
greatest range of choices among products and services at the lowest prices.
Right to information
The consumer has given the right to be informed by the producer about the qualit
y, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the c
onsumer against unfair trade practices..
Extent, commencement and application
The consumer protection act extends to the whole of India except the state of Jam
mu and Kashmir .  The act received the presidents assent on 24.12.1986.