The Consumer Protection Act was implemented in 1986 to protect consumer rights and address issues with goods and services. It defines a consumer and establishes objectives like the right to be heard and seek redressal against unfair practices. The 2019 amendments created the Central Consumer Protection Authority to investigate violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. It can impose penalties up to Rs. 10 lakh and imprisonment for false ads. The Act also established Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at various levels to help consumers file complaints about defective products, overcharging, hazardous goods and more. It defines product liability as the responsibility of manufacturers, sellers, and service providers to compensate for harm from defective goods or deficient services.

1. CONSUMER PROTECTION
ACT

2. CONTENTS:
Introduction
Definition
Objectives
Changes brought by CPA
Penalities
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Product Liability.

3. INTRODUCTION:
The Consumer Protection Act, implemented in
1986.
The act was implemented in order to provide better
protection to the rights of the consumer.
It safeguards and encourages consumers to speak
against insufficiency and flaws in goods and
services.
The act get amended in 2002 and 2019.

4. DEFINITION:
Consumer means any person who buys any
goods for a consideration which has been
paid or partly paid or under any system of
deferred payment.

5. OBJECTIVES:
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides for the
following rights to the consumers;
 Right to be heard and assured that consumers .
 Right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or
unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.
 Right to consumer education.
 Right to access to variety of goods and services at
competitive prices.

6. CHANGES BROUGHT BY NEW CPA:
The new act is the establishment of a Central Consumer
Protection Authority(CCPA).
CCPA have an investigation wing headed by a Director-
General.
The wing have the power to conduct inquiries related to:
Voilations of Consumer rights.
Unfair trade practices
Misleading advertisements.
Recall goods or withdraw services of a hazardous
nature.

7. PENALITIES FOR MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENT:
CCPA may impose a penalty on a manufactureer or an
endorser upto Rs. 10 lakh and imprisonment for upto 2
years for a false or misleading advertisement.
In case of subsequent offence, the fine may extend to
Rs. 50 lakh and imprisonment upto 5 years.
CCPA can also prohibit that particular product or
service for a period upto 1 year.

8. CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL
COMMISSION:
CDRC is setted up at the district, state, and national
levels. A consumer can file complaint with CDRC in
relation to:
 Unfair or resrictive trade practices.
 Defective goods or services
 Overcharging or deceptive charging
 Offering of goods or servies for sale which may be
hazardous to life and safety.

9. PRODUCT LIABILITY:
It means liability of a product manufacturer, service
provider or seller to compensate a consumer for any
harm or injury caused by a defective good or
deficient services.
To claim compensation, a consumer has to prove any
one of the conditions for defect or deficient, as given
in the bill.