Consumer Protection Laws (Philippines and International
Setting)
Philippines Setting
- The Law was enacted to protect the interests of
consumers through the promotion of public health and
safety measures, and the prevention of deceptive and
unfair acts of unscrupulous businessmen. It
consolidated all the relevant laws on consumer
protection at that time with new sections on consumer
credit transactions and the creation of a National
Consumers Affairs Council (NCAC).
- The law anchored on the basic policy of the state to
protect the interests of the consumer, promote his
general welfare and to establish standards of conduct
for business and industry.
Towards the end, the State shall implement measures to
achieve the following objectives:
- protection against hazards to health and safety;
- protection against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable
sales acts and practices;
- provision of information and education to facilitate
sound choice and the proper exercise of rights by the
consumer;
- provision of adequate rights and means of redress; and
- involvement of consumer representatives in the
formulation of social and economic policies.
- The provisions of the law shall be enforced by the
following implementing agencies:
- the Department of Health with respect to food, drugs,
cosmetics, devices and substances;
- the Department of Agriculture with respect to products
related to agriculture, and
- the Department of Trade and Industry with respect to
other consumer products not specified above.
- investigations, suing companies and people that break
International Setting (Canada)
- The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (CPA) applies to
most Ontario businesses (not just dealers) and it covers
both goods and services, including vehicle sales,
leasing and repairs. It applies to consumer transactions
if either the consumer or the supplier is in Ontario. If an
Ontario-based business has sales with a consumer in
another jurisdiction, that consumer is protected under
the CPA.
- However, the protection provided in the CPA
applies only to “consumers”. The Act does not extend
protection to businesses/corporations nor to an
individual who is engaged in a business-to-business %20Protection%20Act%2C%202002,the%20supplier%20is%20in
transaction. %20Ontario.
- The protections granted to consumers by the CPA “The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Philippines -
cannot be nullified in a contract. Should a consumer Consumers International.” The Department of Trade and Industry
sign a document that would waive some Consumer (DTI) - Philippines- Consumers International,
Protection Act rights, the piece of paper is worthless; www.consumersinternational.org/members/members/the-
the consumer is still entitled to all of his or her rights department-of-trade-and-industry-dti.
under the Act.
“Bureau of Consumer Protection.” Federal Trade Commission, 12
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Mar. 2013, www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-
consumer-protection.
- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is a prime
mover of consumer welfare. It is committed to
protecting the rights and interests of the consumers and “Republic Act No. 7394 | GOVPH.” Republic Act No. 7394 |
is also committed to developing policies and programs Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 13 Apr. 1992,
aimed at sustaining the growth and development of the www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1992/04/13/republic-act-no-7394-s-
Philippine economy. Besides overseeing the effective 1992.
implementation and enforcement of trade regulation
and fair trade laws, the DTI provides protection to
consumers through consumer education and
information dissemination programs.
- Information materials such as Consumer Alerts, Tips,
and Advisories are regularly released and updated. It
also provides a mechanism for the speedy resolution of
consumer complaints. The Bureau is currently
preparing guidelines to help consumer organizations
develop and strengthen.
Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB)
- Functions as a policy-making body and oversees the
advocacy of trade and consumer protection laws.
- The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair,
deceptive and fraudulent business practices by
collecting reports from consumers and conducting
the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace,
and educating consumers and businesses about their
rights and responsibilities.
References:
“Consumer Protection Act.” Consumer Protection Act,
www.omvic.on.ca/portal/DealersSalespersons/MVDARequirement
s/ConsumerProtectionAct.aspx#:~:text=The%20Consumer