Consumer Protection Act To Be Enforced From 20th July

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs on Wednesday informed that most arrangements of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 will come into power on July 20, 2020, as a feature of its drive to safeguard consumer interests. The act was passed in Parliament recently to replace the three-decade-old Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the administrative body that monitors advertisements campaigns focused on purchasers had praised the move. The Act provides mediation as another dispute settlement system with the goal that debates can be settled quicker. Additionally, it likewise incorporates the idea of ‘product liability’ wherein activity might be brought against a product manufacturer or product service provider or a product seller for any damage caused to a complainant because of a flawed item. The Act aims to make a Central Consumer Protection Council for effective and timely settlement of consumers or purchasers’ disputes.

Inviting the move ASCI Chairman – Rohit Gupta said “ASCI welcomes the new Consumer Protection Act set to be authorized from July 20, 2020. Our endeavors, as the advertising self-administrative body, are likewise to secure the consumers’ interests. We hope to see a huge effect in the control of misleading advertisements– right now exceptionally high in Educational just as Healthcare items and service sectors and Teleshopping class. We would soon be launching checking of potentially misleading advertisements showing up on Digital Media, notwithstanding the Print and TV reconnaissance. We see our role to be promoting and complementary by giving direction to advertisers and celebrities utilizing Code for Self- Regulation in Advertising and Guidelines thereof. ” 

However, the Government has not decided on provisions related to online business or e-commerce as well as those identifying with the constitution of an apex Central Consumer Protection Authority at the national level.