CARICOM Consumer Protection Bill enhances Basseterre, other regional countries
INCREASED PROTECTION IS GUARANTEED FOR ALL PURCHASERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES in St. Kitts and Nevis and other participating member states when the CARICOM Consumer Protection Bill is approved by legislators in the twin-island Federation.
The Bill had its first reading in St. Kitts and Nevis Parliament in August 2021, but there were no subsequent readings. The dissolution of Parliament on May 10, 2022, meant the measure would have to be reintroduced and debated in a new session of the National Assembly explained Minister of Consumer Affairs, Dr. Denzil Douglas.
Dr. Douglas said the government intends to debate and pass the Bill this year.
Mr. Paul Queeley, Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, said on the radio and TV programme, ‘InFocus’ last week, that the passage of the Bill will strengthen consumer protection.
“If you have expired goods on your shelves, we can fine you. If it is a situation where you are totally in breach of the [Consumer Affairs] Act, and you don’t want to refund a customer their money for an item they purchased, we can fine you for that right there,” Queeley explained.
“With this new legislation, it will be a big step from the one that we are using right now,” he said, noting that it will likely allow Consumer Affairs officials to issue citations to transgressors. “If we go into the supermarkets, and you don’t have your prices displayed, fines,” the official warned.
The Bill will also protect online shoppers.
Its rules will extend to goods and services within CARICOM where the harmonised legislation is enacted. Queeley explained if someone from Basseterre purchases an item from another CARICOM country, and it is subsequently discovered to be faulty, there will be avenues for redress.
“Since we are functioning under the same legislation, we would be able to contact the [Consumer] agency [overseas], wherever they purchased the [item] and they can investigate the case on that end for us and bring a resolution to the situation,” the Director noted.
Additionally, the passage of the CARICOM Consumer Protection Bill will help the twin-island Federation transition to a contemporary country where consumers enjoy legislative protection.
