A consumer is defined as someone who acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership. Consumer interests can also serve consumers, consistent with economic efficiency, but this topic is treated in competition law. Consumer protection can also be asserted via non-government organizations and individuals as consumer activism.
Efforts made for protection of consumer’s right and interests, which include the right to satisfaction of basic needs, the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to be heard, the right to redress, the right to consumer education and the right to a healthy environment.
If a person disobeys the obligation imposed by any law or rule and does not display the price list of the product in a conveniently visible place of his shop or organization, he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand taka or both. If a person disregards the obligation imposed by law or rules and does not save the service price list of his shop or organization and does not display the said list in the relevant place or in an easily visible place, he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or not more than fifty thousand taka.
A person who produces or processes a product in a process which is harmful to human life or health, which is prohibited under any law or regulation, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or a fine not exceeding one lakh taka, or both. If a person deceives the public by false or misleading advertisements for the purpose of selling a product or service, he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding two lakh taka, or both. If a person does not properly sell or supply the promised goods or services at the price paid, he will be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding fifty thousand taka, or both.
If a person sells or delivers a product below the promised weight to the consumer at the time of supply or sale, he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand taka, or both. Weighing scales used in a person’s shop or business for the purpose of selling or supplying any goods, if the weight more than the actual weight, he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding fifty thousand taka, or both.
If a person manufactures counterfeit product, he is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding two lakh taka or both. If a person sells or offers to sell an expired product or medicine, he will be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand taka, or both. Any person who commits any act which may endanger the life or safety of the service recipient by violating the prohibitions laid down under any law or regulation, may be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or a fine not exceeding two lakh taka, or both.
We have strict laws for consumer protection. What we need is the execution of the laws to protect the interest of the consumers.
