Consumer Protection Council in India

India’s Consumer Protection Council is a statutory organization created in accordance

with the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. The council is in charge of advancing and
defending Indian consumer rights.

The council’s principal goal is to make sure that customers understand their rights and
can exercise them. Also, the council offers a forum for customers to protest about
dishonest business practices, faulty goods, and subpar services. The central government
appoints the president and several other members of the Consumer Protection Council.
The council has the authority to look into complaints, give directives to companies, and
file lawsuits against anyone who breaks consumer protection rules.

The council also promotes consumer understanding of their rights and obligations
through a number of awareness initiatives and campaigns. Moreover, it works along with
other departments, offices, and groups to advance consumer protection and raise
standards for all products and services. The council has experienced considerable changes
recently, including the replacement of the 1986 statute with a new Consumer Protection
Act in 2019. The new act has a number of measures aimed at enhancing consumer rights
and supplying more effective channels for grievance redressal.

Functions of Consumer Protection Council

Following are some of the important functions of the Consumer Protection Council:

Consumer Education
The main task of the Consumer Protection Council is to inform customers of their rights
and obligations. The organization conducts a number of consumer education initiatives to
disseminate knowledge about the risks associated with the use of shoddy goods and
services. To educate consumers about their rights, the council also distributes resources
including brochures, leaflets, and instructions.

For example, In Lagos, Nigeria, the Consumer Protection Council launched a consumer
education campaign to teach people how to spot substandard products. The campaign is
designed to raise awareness of the risks associated with the use of counterfeit and
substandard goods and how to avoid them.

Complaints Handling
Consumers who feel that businesses or service providers have taken full advantage of or
treated them unfairly, file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Department. The
organization reviews complaints and takes necessary measures to protect the interests of
customers. Council also provides a venue for customers to report fraud, false advertising,
and unfair business practices.
For example, A customer spoke to Consumer Protection about a furniture manufacturer
who, upon receipt of full payment, supplied a substandard product. The company was
deemed to have committed fraud when the agency reviewed the situation. The company
was fined and refunded the consumer’s money by the board.

Product Standards and Quality Control

Customer Protection may enforce product standards and quality control procedures. An
agency that prescribes requirements for goods and services to ensure that they meet basic
quality requirements. The items are also tested and controlled by the Board to verify their
safety.
For example, The Consumer Protection Council examined a well-known brand of bottled
water and discovered that it contained hazardous germs. The FDA mandated a recall of
all tainted items as well as compensation for impacted customers. The council has issued
new bottled water rules to ensure that firms fulfill minimal quality standards.

Market Tracking
The Consumer Protection Council monitors the market to identify corporations and
service providers who participate in deceptive business practices. Organizes market
surveillance and conducts investigations for price fixing, price manipulation, and other
anti-competitive acts. The board also works with other government agencies to ensure
companies comply with regulations.
For example, In Abuja, Nigeria, the Consumer Protection Council conducted market
surveillance and determined that some gas stations were selling fuel at a price higher
than the government-approved price. The agency has ordered gas stations to reduce
prices to the allowable level or face penalties for price abuse.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

The Consumer Protection Council works with stakeholders such as trade associations,
government agencies, and civil society groups to protect the rights and interests of
consumers. The agency encourages dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders to
achieve the common goal of protecting the interests of consumers.
For example, The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Consumer
Protection Council collaborated to promote the use of standardized goods throughout the
country. The agency encouraged businesses to follow the criteria created in partnership
with MAN for the development of safe, high-quality products.
Conclusion
The CPC is responsible for a variety of activities, including consumer
education, consumer complaint resolution, product standards and quality maintenance,
market monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. Because of these traits, the CPC can
protect customers against poor goods and services, fraud, misleading advertising, unfair
business practices, and other forms of exploitation.
Ultimately, the Consumer Protection Board plays an important role in ensuring that
consumers are protected and have access to fair and transparent marketplaces. The board
helps prevent fraudulent or misleading practices, as well as other forms of exploitation
that can affect consumers, by implementing consumer protection laws and regulations.