Consumer Protection S. Africa

No. 68 of 2008: Consumer Protection Act, 2008.

The Consumer Protection Act intends to regulate the marketing of goods and services to consumers, as well as the transactions and/or agreements between the consumers and the producers, suppliers, distributors, importers, retailers, service providers and intermediaries of those goods and services.

That recent and emerging technological changes, trading methods, patterns and agreements have brought, and will continue to bring, new benefits, opportunities and challenges to the market for consumer goods and services within South Africa; and That it is desirable to promote an economic environment that supports and strengthens a culture of consumer rights and responsibilities, business innovation and enhanced performance.

For the reasons set out above, and to give effect to the international law obligations of the Republic, a law is to be enacted in order to:

● promote and protect the economic interests of consumers;
● improve access to, and the quality of, information that is necessary so that consumers are able to make informed choices according to their individual wishes and needs;
● protect consumers from hazards to their well-being and safety;
● develop effective means of redress for consumers;
● promote and provide for consumer education, including education concerning the social and economic effects of consumer choices;
● facilitate the freedom of consumers to associate and form groups to advocate and promote their common interests; and
● promote consumer participation in decision-making processes concerning the marketplace and the interests of consumers.