Consumer Affairs Department to table legislation

THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT (CAD) WILL TABLE SEVERAL PIECES OF KEY LEGISLATION THIS YEAR to help protect the public said Minister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Denzil Douglas during his address on the occasion of Consumer Awareness Week ending Friday.

“The Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Affairs places a high priority on the overall satisfaction of the consumers in our Federation. Therefore, in 2023 the Ministry, and by extension, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, will proceed with the reintroduction of the CARICOM Consumer Protection Bill for its first reading within the National Assembly. This would begin the national consultative discussion among the population,” Dr. Douglas said.

He said the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Carico Single Market and Economy (CSME) provides for action to promote and protect the interest of consumers within the Member States. Dr. Douglas pointed out that the CARICOM Consumer Protection Bill will form part of the discussion in Basseterre.

“The government will endeavor to have the CARICOM Consumer Protection Bill pass through all required readings towards its adoption in 2023,” Douglas said.

The minister stated that at the process’ end, the country will be able to transition into modern-era consumer protection.

“Having completed this process, the Federation will transition into the modern era of consumer protection, offering the Consumer Affairs Department greater legislative scope to issue citations for infractions which will redound to the benefit of our consumers,” he stressed.

The International Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Affairs minister declared that special attention must be given to raising the level of public awareness.

“Consumer issues are multifaceted. Therefore, special attention must be given to raising the level of public awareness in relation to the consequences of a business model which results in adverse effects for our environment and, by extension, the planet.”

The CAD “will continue to provide information to better protect consumers in the Federation as they undertake transactions in the marketplace while lending support to the formulation of public policy which will support the development of sustainable consumer goods,” Dr. Douglas said.