Objects of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Objects

The preamble to the Act states that the Act is legislated to provide for better protection of the interests of consumers and for that purpose to make provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumer's disputes and for matters connected therewith.

The basic rights of consumers as per the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) are

1. the right to be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property

2. the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods, or services so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices

3. the right to be assured, wherever possible, access to variety of goods and services at competitive prices

4. the right to be heard and be assured that consumers' interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums

5. the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers

6. the right to consumer education

The CPA extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir and applies to all goods and services unless otherwise notified by the Central Government.