Consumers have eight fundamental, internationally recognised rights. It is the responsibility of Government, the business community and civic society to ensure these rights through the development of an appropriate legislative framework, the implementation of social policies as well as the encouragement of good corporate citizenship.
The Government of Jamaica has laid the necessary framework through 27 pieces of legislation, administered by government ministries, agencies and departments through which consumers can be protected. The most recent of these is the Consumer Protection Act of 2004. The Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (CPA) seeks to do the following:
- Formalize the establishment of the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) as a legal body with the requisite powers for effective exercise of its core functions, namely consumer protection and education;
- Codify various pieces of consumer protection laws (statute and common) already in existence under one umbrella legislation;
- Define the obligations and privileges of users and providers of goods and services and outline the penalties ascribed to specific breaches;
- Establish effective grievance and other redress procedures, which are fair, inexpensive and readily accessible.
Provided by Ministry of Justice
