The consumer protection act comes into effect in October this year. This act spells out all the rules of engagement in the supply chain of both retail products and services industries. It affects almost everything to do with the running of your small business. We will, over the next couple of weeks try to understand as much of that act as we can, but please understand that I am not a lawyer, nor do I understand the law as well as I could, and that this is just an act and only becomes law once a judge has passed judgement based on the act. The CPA takes aim at companies supplying substandard service or items. Here are some issues around products and services.
Any grey market items need to be clearly marked as such, and consumers must be told about any change of servicing or offer to sell service issues. 

  •  Any grey market items need to be clearly marked as such, and consumers must be told about any changes to servicing or after sales service issues.
  • Consumers must be notified if any item is reconditioned or deemed as substandard.
  • Any hazardous or potentially hazardous material or object must be clearly communicated on a label or the box.
  • All items must be clearly marked with the correct price. Shelf pricing is still acceptable.
  • The quality of all products must be of fair value and items must be deemed as safe.
  • Consumers must be told of any changes to the returns policy of any item.
  • Traders cannot sell items together that are not complimentary; this means that only like or complimentary items can be solved together as a bundle.
  • The use of any item must be clearly communicated by the seller, if any item is sold or bought to be used for something that was not designed for, these uses need to be communicated well between seller and consumer before the transaction is finalised.
  • Quotations and cost estimates must be offered for all services and repairs.
  • All repairs must come with a three month warranty, excluding normal wear and tear.
  • A fee can be charged for unaccepted quotes, this however must be communicated beforehand.
  • Once the job is finished, site cleanup is mandatory.

Information for this post has been taken from various articles written about that as well as the act itself. If you are in any doubt is about the impacts of the CPA on your organisation, then please consult the legal representative will download to the act yourself to read.