Safeguarding the Public Interest& Cross-border effects of Consumer Protection in Namibia

Milton Shaanika-LouwVolunteer Director: Namibia Consumer Protection Group

Why consumer activism?• “What if these

services were not available to me?”

• “What are about my fellow consumers who struggle to get the same access to allow them to sleep peacefully at night?”

What is the NCPG•non-profit organisation that campaigns for customer

rights. It focuses on illegal and unethical behavior by companies.

•Founded in 2009 on social media•Over 600 members – less than 5% actively involved in

issues

•Presently also in newspaper as “Consumer Court”▫Frozen Chickens – immediate reaction▫Price labelling - supermarkets

NCPG Focus• Namibian Consumer Charter• Consumer Awareness – Consumer Day• Partnership for Information provision

• Sectors problems experienced with:▫Banks▫Debt Counseling▫Legal Insurance▫Life Insurance▫Real Estate▫Food Industry

Market Behaviour & the need for Regulation•Consumer versus Business interest

▫All are consumer – end users of products▫Consumer = happy, treated with dignity & respect through

fair & honest dealings

•Market fails in fiduciary duties = Government steps in to protect

•By drafting and enforcing regulation to balance the scales to ensure fair and responsible trade

Consumer Protection Environment• Various institutions exist however consumers still have need for

protection

• Consumer protection violations are prevalent with ▫misleading and bait advertising, ▫non-honouring of guarantees, ▫abuse of information, ▫non-disclosure, ▫unfair contract terms, ▫deliberate none use of plain and simple language and ▫poor product quality

Consumer Charter • The aim of the Charter is to develop corporate practice in light of consumer

concerns.

▫ The right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival.

▫ The right to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health and life.

▫ The right to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling.

▫ The right to choose products and services at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

Consumer Charter (continued)• The right to express consumer interests in the making and execution of

government policy.

• The right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.

• The right to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed consumer.

• The right to live and work in an environment which permits a life of dignity and well-being.

Consumer protection is good for business•“Made in Namibia” meets consumer rights is a plus for

exporters

•Regulation means products are “meeting standards”

•Trust in regulator means trust in business

Consumer protection on externally sourced goods•SADC cooperation between consumer regulators

•Recourse to cross border rights enforcement

•UN Resolutions on Consumers▫is Namibia doing its part?▫Do we know our obligations?

Future needs• Independent Consumer Protection Commission

• Consumer Ombudsmen

• Electronic Transactions Act

• Consumer Education at schools

• Small Claims Court

• Debtors Counselling

• Period of “change of mind”