Overview of the Consumer
Protection Council (CPC)
According to the website of the agency, the Consumer
Protection Council (CPC) is
a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria, supervised by the Federal
Ministry of Trade and Investment. Though it was established by Act No. 66
of1992, it commenced operations only in 1999, when its institutional framework
was put in place.
Its mandate requires it to, among others, eliminate
hazardous products from the market, provide speedy redress to consumers
complaints, undertake campaigns as will lead to increased consumer awareness,
ensure that consumers interest receive due consideration at the appropriate
forum, and encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop
and enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the
interest of consumers.
While using all legitimate means to eliminate the scourge
of consumer rights abuse in the Nigerian market place, the council is conscious
of the fact that an uninformed consumer population cannot be effectively
protected if they do not know that they have rights, what the rights are, and
how the rights could be protected. Businesses also need to be well acquainted
with their obligations to consumers.
In view of all these, the council is currently doing
the best it can to effectively police the market, sensitise consumers about
their rights and responsibilities and at the same time ensure that businesses
are committed to fulfilling their obligations to consumers.
It is our hope that with the co-operation of all
market players, our country will become a better consumer-friendly nation.
Vision
The vision of the Consumer
Protection Council is to be a dynamic, effective and responsible apex consumer
protection agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, championing the cause
of fully sensitized consumers to achieve a caring and consumer-friendly
community.
Mission
The Consumer Protection Council
is committed to protecting and enhancing consumers’ interest through
information, education and enforcement of appropriate standards for goods and
services and to promote an environment of fair and ethical trade practices.
Functions
of the Consumer Protection Council
(CPC)
The main functions of the Consumer
Protection Council (CPC) include:
·
Providing speedy redress to
consumers complaints through negotiation, mediation and conciliation;
·
Seeking ways and means of
removing from the markets hazardous products and causing offenders to replace
such products with safer and more appropriate alternatives;
·
Publishing from time to time list
of products whose consumption and sale have been banned, withdrawn, severally
restricted or not approved by the Federal Government;
·
Causing an offending company,
firm, trade association or individual to protect, compensate, provide relief
and safeguards to injured consumers or communities from adverse effects of
technologies that are inherently harmful, injurious, violent or highly hazardous;
·
Organising and undertaking
campaigns and other forms of activities that will lead to increased public
consumer awareness;
·
Encouraging trade, industry and
professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields,
quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers;
·
Issuing guidelines to
manufacturers, importers, dealers and wholesalers in relation to their
obligation under the CPC enabling law;
·
Encouraging the formation of
voluntary consumer groups or associations for consumers’ well being;
·
Ensuring that consumers’ interest
receive due consideration at appropriate fora and providing redress to
obnoxious practices or the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers by companies,
firms, trade associations or individuals;
·
Registering and monitoring
products, services and sales promotions in the market place.
How
the Consumer Protection Council Functions
To
inform consumers:
·
the Council makes presentations
to various audiences, delivers lectures and speaks to individuals and groups in
and out of office, conducts workshops and seminars;
·
broadcasts messages on radio and
television;
·
mounts displays at events where
crowds of consumers are expected, like trade fairs, exhibitions, etc;
·
puts up public notices in the
print and electronic media;
·
erects billboards, produce
journals, pamphlets, leaflets, etc
To
eliminate hazardous products from the market and ensure that products and
services comply with required standards/ specifications, the Council:
·
carries out surveillance and
enforcement activities in the market place;
·
conducts quality tests and
analyses on products and services;
·
compels producers of goods and
services to adhere to quality standards/ specifications;
·
issues guidelines, regulations,
etc to producers of goods and services;
·
bans the sale, distribution and
advertisement of substandard and defective products and services;
·
prosecutes offenders, when and
where necessary.
·
To provide redress to consumer
complaints:
·
the Council receives and acts on
consumer complaints;
·
negotiates, mediates and
conciliates consumer complaints;
·
obtains compensation, relief,
safeguards, etc for injured consumers or communities;
·
applies to court to protect the
rights of consumers.
SOURCE: http://cpc.gov.ng/
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