Republic Act No. 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, is a comprehensive law that safeguards consumers' rights and promotes their welfare. Its main objectives are to protect consumers from health and safety hazards, prevent deceptive and unfair sales practices, provide information and education for informed choices, and ensure consumers have the right to redress for defective products or services.
The law also promotes fair business conduct, establishes standards for product quality, and encourages the involvement of consumer representatives in policy-making.
Key Aspects of the Consumer Act: Protection from Health and Safety Hazards: The Act mandates that products sold must not pose a risk to consumers' health and safety. Prevention of Unfair Practices: It prohibits deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts, such as "replace only" or "no refund" policies, and selling defective goods as "new".
Consumer Rights: The Act outlines several fundamental rights for consumers, including the right to safety, information, choice, representation, redress, education, and a healthy environment. Consumer Redress: Consumers are entitled to demand refunds, replacements, or repairs for defective products or services that do not meet the standards or description provided.
Product Standards: It establishes standards for product quality and safety, along with mandates for proper labeling and fair packaging. Consumer Education and Representation: The law ensures consumers receive adequate information to make sound choices and have their representatives participate in the formulation of economic and social policies that affect them.
Enforcement: Agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), and others play a role in receiving complaints and taking action against violations of the Act.
What to Do if Your Consumer Rights Are Violated: Gather Evidence: Document the issue with photos, videos, or receipts. Contact the Business: First, try to resolve the issue directly with the seller or service provider. File a Complaint: If the issue isn't resolved, file a complaint with the appropriate government agency, such as the DTI. Seek Legal Action: For severe or unresolved cases, you may pursue a civil or criminal action in the appropriate courts.