THE Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is urging all suppliers of new, used and reconditioned vehicles in Guyana, as well as auto part dealers to attend a special seminar it will be hosting next week CCAC Director, Ms Seema Rambaran, said the topics to be covered during this seminar are information to consumers, warranties, unfair contract terms and unfair trade practices.

The theme of this seminar for the auto industry on the Consumer Affairs Act by the Commission is ‘How the Consumer Affairs Act will impact the Auto Industry in Guyana’. This informative session is slated to take place on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 09:00hrs at Regency Hotel/Suites, 98 Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

Rambaran said this discussion will be chaired by technical staff of the CCAC and Consumer Affairs Advisor/Lead Technical Advisor to the CCAC, Massimiliano Gangi, an expert in competition law and international best practices in consumer protection.

“It is imperative that suppliers of new, used and reconditioned vehicles in Guyana, as well as auto part dealers attend this seminar and participate in discussions regarding these topics,” Rambaran said in a press advisory.

According to her, businesses found to be in contravention of the CAA may be imposed with significant fines.

CCAC is established by the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA) of 2006 and the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) of 2011. Its overarching objectives are to encourage competition, prohibit anti-competitive business conduct, investigate alleged abuses of a dominant position in the market and in trade, and promote consumer welfare in Guyana.

Rambaran said the CAA significantly alters the way in which consumer protection is viewed in Guyana. Rambarran said it outlines the duties of a supplier and creates a framework in which all transactions between consumers and suppliers must be adhered to.

Persons interested in joining the discussion are asked to kindly register by contacting the Commission’s Secretariat at 219-4411 ext 114 or 122.