Consumer Protection Forum

Learn about the Consumer Protection Forum.

CONSUMER FORUM

About the Consumer Protection Forum

Part B of Schedule 4 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) states that Consumer Protection is a functional area of concurrent National and Provincial Legislative Competence. It is also acknowledged that within the consumer protection arena there are various other regulatory authorities established in terms of various pieces of consumer protection legislation. Given the Schedule 4 Constitutional mandate and in the spirit of co-operation a voluntary National consumer protection structure spearheaded by the dtic in the form of the consumer protection forum (CPF) was established. This structure comprises of nine (9) Provincial consumer protection offices as well as the following regulated authorities: National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), National Credit Regulator (NCR), Council for Medical Aid Schemes (CMS), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), Credit Ombudsman, Council for Debt Collectors (CDC) as well as Accredited Alternative Dispute Resolution Agents such as the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud scheme (CGSO), Motor Industry Ombud scheme of South Africa (MIOSA) all of which collectively forms a voluntary association, namely, the Consumer Protection Forum (CPF).

The CPF meets quarterly to deliberate on consumer protection, conduct research, compliance inspections, consumer education and business compliance.

The Strategic Objectives of the CPF are as follows

To develop cost effective and co-ordinated strategies for protecting South African consumers;
The development of issues of compliance for a conducive business environment to enable good business practices to support economic sustainability for both businesses and consumers alike;
To facilitate co-operative governance with respect to consumer protection issues;
To develop protocols to coordinate all matters with regards to consumer protection;
To advocate for the escalation of consumer protection matters to the National agendas of Government and to encourage a strong viable civil society consumer movement;
To maximise resources for consumer education and awareness so as to enhance a culture of consumer protection through co-ordinated programs;
To enhance the accessibility of consumer protection and consumer education initiatives especially for marginalised consumers;
To develop a protocol of co-operation for cross boarder engagements on matters of mutual consumer protection importance;
To develop and ensure that adequate redress mechanisms are available for consumers;
To coordinate inputs in support of consumer protection policy, legislation formulation and strategy development initiatives.