SIX SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2019

Mandvi Mishra

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Legitimus

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2 min read

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Dec 21, 2020

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According to the ministry of Law and Justice, Consumer Protection Act of 2019 is defined as, ‘An Act to provide for protection of the interests of consumers and for the said purpose, to establish authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of consumers’ disputes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto’.

Here is a list of six praiseworthy features of the new Act:

• Years after the IT Act, finally the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 after replacing the 1986 law, redefines the consumer by taking into consideration the online market and electric commerce transactions. The definition now involves any buyer who purchases any product or service online or offline. Previously the act didn’t involve online transactions.

• Not only the law includes online transactions but also initiates procedures to file complaints online. Even moving a step ahead, the hearing of complaints can also take place through video conferencing as per the comfort of the buyer.
• It directs all the state governments to establish a District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, to be known as the District Commission, in each district of the State for speedy dispute resolution. It also introduces mediation as an alternate tool for dispute management.

• A very new concept of product liability is introduced in this Act which states that the manufacturer or the service provider or the product seller will be held responsible if any harm or damage is caused due to defective product or problem in the service, and hence, will be required to provide compensation for the same. This feature was important considering the number of accidents that take place due to defective goods, especially electronics.

• Misleading advertisements from fairness creams to fake online schemes are a very common phenomenon and thus this law ensures to charge penalties and imprison manufacturers for up to two years for providing misleading advertisements. The Central Consumer Protection Authority will be responsible for looking into the same.
• For cases till the amount of five lakhs will be dealt with free of cost.