New Consumer Regulator to be Established as Government Unveils Protection Bill

The government is moving to create a new National Consumer Council as part of a significant overhaul of consumer protection laws, it was confirmed following a Cabinet meeting this Friday, October 10.

The Consumer Protection Bill was approved by the Council of Ministers, with immediate instructions to be sent to the Attorney General’s Office to prepare an initial draft of the legislation.

This action signals the government’s commitment to better safeguarding consumers and modernising market regulations.

Key Reforms Outlined

The proposed bill will merge the existing Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Trading Act to establish a “modern and coherent legal framework,” aimed at reinforcing consumer confidence and better adapting to current market realities.

The new legislation is set to introduce several major provisions beyond the National Consumer Council. These include:

• Strengthening consumers’ rights.
• Introducing product recall procedures for dangerous goods.
• Granting powers to summon traders for questioning.
• Implementing new provisions to address emerging priorities in the marketplace.

Consultation Underway

The Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection has already engaged in a series of consultations with various ministries, regulators, the private sector, and consumer associations in preparation for the new law.

The overarching goal of the reform, the government stated, is to modernise consumer protection and provide a “fairer and more transparent framework” for all market participants.

Source: Defi Media