The Government has been working diligently to rid the country of inferior and defective goods, and to promote and protect the rights of consumers. The establishment of the Competition and Consumers Affairs Commission (CCAC) is one of the vehicles being used to achieve this objective.
This was expressed in remarks by Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond in observance of the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Consumers Affairs Act (CAA), No. 3 of 2011. The Act was passed in the National Assembly on September 27, 2011, and the Minister stated that the enactment of the Act brought into effect the establishment of the CCAC.
The enactment of the Act, she posited, allowed for a clear and predictable process for consumers to file complaints and get redress for their grievances. Noting that the fruits of the introduction of the CCAC are evident, Minister Walrond pointed out that, for the first half of 2021, the agency has been able to resolve 206 cases to the value of $57.5 million.
“These are the tangible benefits to our citizens that have been realised through strategic interventions,” she said, while adding that suppliers also have the obligation to issue a notice stating whether the goods are reconditioned, rebuilt, or remade, thereby increasing market transparency and reducing asymmetry.
According to her, the model bill, which includes the penalty for each offence, is currently disjointed in the current legislation. Moreover, with an understanding that the modern consumer thrives on information, she disclosed that the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry is exploring the establishment of an electronic registry that facilities consumer reviews and comments.
“This depository will give better insight to customers in their buying process, and will allow businesses real-time access to customer reviews,” the Minister explained. She, however, underscored that consumer protection is not a conflicting approach to business development.
“A collaborative approach to consumer protection and a commitment to the provision of quality goods and services augurs well for both the consumer and the supplier,” the Minister noted.
In closing her remarks, Minister Walrond offered congratulations to the Board and staff of the CCAC on achieving this milestone, and for their unwavering commitment to consumer protection.
She emphasised that consumer protection remains an important facet of any modern and democratic society, and assured that Guyanese can rest assured that the Government would look out for their best interest.
Meanwhile, in a statement to mark the milestone, the CCAC said it is very proud to observe and celebrate the tenth anniversary of the CAA Act, along with the establishment of the Commission.
“The enactment of the CAA and establishment of the Commission were of great significance to consumers, consumerism, and commerce throughout Guyana.”
According to the Commission, it has incorporated the eight aspects of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection; namely, the right to safety, the right to choose, the right to information, the right to be heard, the right to redress, the right to consumer education, the right to basic needs, and the right to a healthy environment.
Since its establishment, the CCAC said, it has embarked on several proactive awareness and inspection programmes targeting both suppliers and consumers. It said, too, that the increase in consumer complaints is an indication that consumers are more empowered to assert their right to redress.
As a result, the CCAC added, suppliers are becoming more compliant, and the Commission has secured redress for thousands of consumers who have filed complaints amounting to hundreds of millions of Guyanese dollars.
With the mandate of bringing greater awareness to both consumers and suppliers of their respective rights and responsibilities, the CCAC has embarked on a campaign to aggressively educate consumers and carry out inspections of businesses.
As it celebrates its tenth anniversary, the Commission is encouraging consumers to assert their rights when shopping, and is encouraging suppliers to be aware of their responsibilities to consumers.
Stats
For the first half of 2021, the CCAC received 269 complaints from consumers, with the sale of defective goods accounting for 50 per cent of those complaints. The 269 complaints are valued at $119,942,369. This reflects a 180 per cent increase when compared to the same period last year.
According to data from the CCAC, 206 of these complaints, valued at $55,570,437, were resolved.
The leading area of breach under the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) of 2011 was the sale of defective goods, which accounted for half of the total complaints received.
In addition, complaints were received across 19 categories, the leading ones being in the electronics/electronic services, auto industry, and the appliance and construction industry.
For the reporting period, some 47 businesses were inspected in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, Berbice. While 12 of these businesses complied with the provisions of the Act, the remaining 35 were given one month to conform, during which period the businesses would be re-inspected.
In 2020, the CCAC resolved 73 per cent of complaints, which represented 338 cases, providing relief to consumers amounting to $66.7 million.
Among other things, the CCAC’s functions include investigating complaints by agencies and consumers, and determining if there has been a contravention of the Competition and Fair-Trading Act (CFTA) of 2006 and the CAA. It is empowered to take prescribed actions should there be a contravention of the law, eliminating anti-competitive agreements.
It is also responsible for providing information to consumers on their rights, and to enable them to make informed choices; to advise the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce on matters relative to the CFTA and the CAA; to institute, participate in, and/or support proceedings before a court of law, including to bring prosecutions where the Commission deems fit.
