Gov’t to launch consumer protection guide amid safety concerns

The Consumer Affairs Division in Kingstown will on Monday launch a consumer protection guide as it prepares to roll out a public education and awareness campaign amid growing concerns over consumer rights violations, widespread availability of substandard products, and consumer safety.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble highlighted the concerns and spoke of his government’s intention to address them as he delivered his national address to mark World Consumer Rights Day on Sunday.

World Consumer Rights Day is globally recognised and supported by the United Nations.

The Consumer Affairs Division has been holding a week of activities to mark the day. The activities culminate in the launch of a consumer protection guide after the solidarity march at the car park next to the Ministerial Building in Kingstown on March 16.

“This guide translates complex legal terms into simplified, clear, and easy-to-understand language,” Bramble said.

“It ensures that when you encounter, for example, a no-refund sign, which is often a violation of your rights under the Act, you have the knowledge to stand your ground.”

Bramble said that having visited shops in various communities from Fancy to Union Island, “issues of substandard products and safety are common threads”.  

The foreign affairs and trade minister said that while the developed world discusses the nuances of high-end consumer technologies, the reality is that small island developing states are often defined by the price of a bag of flour, the safety of imported products, and the reliability of the appliances they buy.

Bramble said that even as the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, notwithstanding the unprecedented times, joins the rest of the international community in celebrating World Consumer Rights Day, under the theme “Safe Product, Confident Consumers”, quality and safety are under intense scrutiny and the shortage of product information is the order of the day.

Bramble said that the theme “emphasises that insufficient product safety undermines fundamental human rights, including the right to life, health, and safety”.

Bramble said that, as small island developing states with a small market, “we must remain extremely vigilant against the entry of substandard goods into our markets…

“For too long, some have viewed the Caribbean as a place to offload seconds or near-expiry items. This is among the many reasons why the Consumer Protection Act No. 12 of 2020 was enacted. It is not just a piece of paper; it is a shield for every citizen. The Act provides for the promotion and protection of consumer interests in relation to the supply of goods and services, to ensure protection of life, health, and safety of consumers,” he said.

Bramble said it is a broad, encompassing piece of legislation that sets out a framework that consolidates key consumer protection rights exercisable in relation to the supply of goods and services in one place.

“It establishes the duties and obligations of suppliers and administrative and legal frameworks for the identification of violations involving the supply of goods or services, the physical and financial security of consumers, unfair trade practices and transactions, and unfair contract terms.

Conducting business in this new environment is filled with challenges that we must collectively minimise and address through updated legislation, regulations, and more robust policies that safeguard consumers’ welfare and interests, Bramble said, noting, however, that a law is only as strong as the people’s understanding of it.

Bramble said that “to help bridge the gap between the law on the books and life on the ground, the Department of Consumer Affairs will be soon rolling out a robust national consumer public education and awareness programme, focusing on information sharing, empowerment, and building confidence”.

Bramble said World Consumer Rights Day highlights the importance of collaboration between businesses, governments, and consumer groups to ensure safety throughout the product life cycle, including effective information sharing, product recalls, and enforcement of regulations.

He said it is an annual observation dedicated to highlighting the power of consumers and their rights for a fair, safe, and sustainable marketplace for everyone.

“This day continues the legacy of advocating for consumer rights in both physical and digital marketplaces, reflecting the growing complexity of global commerce and the need for informed, protected consumers.

“Additionally, it serves as a platform for uniting consumers to demand accountability and ethical practices in markets.

“And so, as the minister, I speak to you not as being removed from the realities, but rather as someone in tune with the issues. I walk the aisles and observe the shelves of our supermarkets,” he said.

Bramble said that the question that looms large is: ‘How then do we navigate the turbulent global sea?’”

He said one must be honest about the hurdles being faced.

“In an economy such as ours, which is heavily reliant on imports, we are often at the mercy of the international supply chains. We have seen how global shifts have led to inflationary pressures right here at the checkout counters in our stores,” he said.

Bramble said the world is one global marketplace, and in spite of the setbacks and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the eruptions of La Soufrière volcano, Hurricane Beryl, climate change, and, among other things, the ongoing war in Ukraine, his government “will continue to empower its consumers to do more in securing and protecting their own interests”.

The foreign affairs and foreign trade minister said safe products are the foundation, but confident consumers are the result. He said when consumers shop with confidence “our local businesses thrive, our economy stabilises, and our country prospers.

“Let us ensure that in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Vincy consumer is a protected consumer,” Bramble said.

Bramble urged consumers to get to know their consumer rights and responsibilities, but more importantly, become familiar with the Consumer Protection Act No. 12 of 2020.

He noted that there are town hall meetings and a suite of other activities scheduled for the remainder of the year as the Consumer Affairs Department continues to reach out to consumers.