The new Consumer Protection Act will come into force on July 20, 2020. Know What is New

• Whoever manufactures for sale or stores or sells or distributes or imports any product containing an adulterant shall be punished, if such act:-


• does not result in any injury to the consumer, with imprisonment which may extend to 6 months and with fine which may extend to Rs 1 lakhs


• causing injury not amounting to grievous hurt to the consumer, with imprisonment which may extend to 1 year and with fine which may extend Rs 3 lakhs


• causing injury resulting in grievous hurt to the consumer, with imprisonment which may extend to 7 years and with fine which may extend to Rs 5 lakhs


• results in the death of a consumer, with imprisonment which shall not be less than 7 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life and with fine which shall not be less than Rs 10 lakhs


• Any manufacturer or service provider who causes a false or misleading advertisement to be made which is prejudicial to the interest of consumers shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 2 years and with fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakhs and for every subsequent offence, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 5 years and with fine which may extend to Rs 50 lakhs


• Specific offences (such as causing misleading advertisements by manufacturers, or failure to comply with an order passed by an authority under the Act) are compoundable on payment of the amount which will be prescribed, either before or after institution of prosecution.


• Compounding is not possible if the person commits the same or similar offence within 3 years from the date on which the first offence was compounded.

• The new law will ensure that complaints can be filed at a district or state consumer commission from the location where the complainant resides rather than from where the service or product was bought. The New Act also contains enabling provisions for consumers to file complaints electronically and for hearing and/or examining parties through video-conferencing. This is aimed to provide procedural ease and reduce inconvenience and harassment for the consumers.


• The new Act provides for mediation as an Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanism, making the process of dispute adjudication simpler and quicker. This will help with the speedier resolution of disputes and reduce pressure on consumer courts, who already have numerous cases pending before them.

The New Consumer Protection Act, 2019, is a big step toward ensuring better rights and protections for consumers. It covers e-commerce, product liability, misleading ads, and unfair contracts, making businesses more accountable. With stricter penalties and easier complaint redressal, consumers now have stronger legal backing. This law aims to create a fair marketplace where buyers are not misled or exploited. If you're a consumer, staying informed about your rights under this Act can help you make better choices and take action when needed.