Allowing consumers a better deal
THE Consumer Affairs Bill 2011 sets the criteria for organizations purporting to provide services for the protection of consumers.
In addition, the legislation will seek to ensure that suppliers provide sufficient information to consumers to inform their decision on whether or not to buy a product or service, based on the price they are being charged, the quality and functionalities of the product and/or service, and the contractual rights and obligations of the supplier and of the consumer. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad made this disclosure during a recent interview where he sought to highlight aspects of the Bill.
“When consumers have access to adequate information, this will ensure that businesses benefit more by being able to supply the right goods and services in the market place,” he said.
There’s an open economy in Guyana, and economic activity will only flourish when consumers can trust producers as consumers value not only quality and safety of a product, but also the assurance of quality and safety, he pointed out.
And so the government has recognised that consumers often face imbalances in bargaining power in the market, and consumer protection was deemed relevant as a form of government regulation to protect the interests of consumers and businesses.
Minister Prashad said, “The Consumer Affairs Act provides assurances at all stages of the relay, which assists in building confidence so that the benefits of the free market can filter through to consumers.”
The bill also renames the Competition Commission the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission. The commission would administer both the Competition and Fair Trading Act (2006) and the Consumers Affairs Act when enacted.
He stated, “This Bill is based on an earlier version of a Consumer Protection Act 2006, which was not brought into force, and this (the new bill) goes well beyond the scope of the 2006 Act.”
Prashad also emphasised that the basis for the review and expansion of the 2006 Act was the extensive consultations held with various stakeholder groups subsequent to its passage, and the need to be concurrent with CARICOM model legislation.
More specifically, the sections relating to Distance Selling, Electronic Sale, Product Liability, Consumer Safety, Recall of Goods, and Industry Codes have been added and/or redrafted.
As to the benefits of these amendments, the minister said, “This makes the Consumer Affairs Bill (2011) more comprehensive and relevant to consumers’ concerns.”
In recognition of its importance, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce will be embarking on a series of educational programmes and initiatives geared at educating all Guyanese [consumers and all private sector bodies] on the importance of the Consumer Affairs Bill 2011.