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2013 CCPC Consumer Protection and Competition Highlights

The Fifth Annual African Dialogue Consumer Protection Conference. 2013 CCPC Consumer Protection and Competition Highlights. Livingstone, Zambia 10-12 September 2013. CCPC’s Mission and Legal Framework. Mission :

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2013 CCPC Consumer Protection and Competition Highlights

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  1. The Fifth Annual African Dialogue Consumer Protection Conference 2013 CCPC Consumer Protection and Competition Highlights Livingstone, Zambia 10-12 September 2013

  2. CCPC’s Mission and Legal Framework Mission: • To protect and enhance competition and consumer welfare in the economy for the benefit of the people of Zambia Legal Framework • The Competition & Consumer Protection Act No.24 of 2010 (“the Act”) covers the usual themes in a contemporary Competition & Consumer Protection Law i.e. • Horizontal agreements (i.e. cartels) • Vertical Agreements • Abuse of Dominance • Mergers & acquisitions • Unfair Trading & Consumer Protection

  3. LegalFramework cont’d • Consumer Protection: • The Act provides that “consumers are protected against unfair trade practices such as those provided and described under Part VII of the Act (Sections 45-53). • Competition: • The Act is there to “safeguard and promote competition” as proscribed under Parts III, IV and V of the same the same Act. • The Tribunal • One of the key highlights this year has been the sitting of the Tribunal which has began deliberating on a number of cases appealed by the parties against the decisions of the Commission. • Lessons are being learnt by the Commission from the Tribunal sittings and deliberations.

  4. Protecting Consumers in a Developing Economy As Zambia’s economy continues to develop, investment opportunities in the retail trade sector (and others) have increased resulting in a number of consumer abuses that are in Contravention of PART VII of the Act. The most prevalent of the abuses is the sale of Defective, Counterfeits and substandardProducts. • Outreach and Education: • Sensitization among traders and consumers • Use of Brochures, media, NGAs/NGOs • Formation of CCP School Clubs • Law Enforcement: • HAZIDA (Defective Samsung Fridge) • Radian Stores (Defective Water Dispenser) • Chloride Zambia (Defective Car Battery)

  5. Challenging Misleading Representations The CCPC seeks to ensure that consumers get what they pay for and that traders/businesses support the claims they make about their products and services. • Law Enforcement: • Zamtel (Advert w.r.t bonus K5 worth of airtime) • MTN & Muvi TV (Yellow Xmas Promo – Brand New) • Muvi TV Cash Call Game Show • Transport Sector • Studies: Transport Sector • Collaboration: • RTSA, LCC, ZPS

  6. Protecting Consumers against Disclaimers The CCPC’s goal is to protect consumers from Traders/Businesses that tend to deny liability for any products they are selling by having disclaimers at their trading premises. This denies consumers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits that a marketplace should ideally offer. Law Enforcement: • Handyman’s Paradise • Mama Africa • Scorpion Bus Services • Outreach and Education: • Sensitization& Education of Businesses and consumers on the existence of the Act in relation to Disclaimers

  7. Lack of Awareness on Consumer Rights and Obligations Most consumers are not aware of their rights and obligation. The CCPC being the Agency at the Apex of Consumer Protection has been undertaking country wide awareness and education activities to ensure that the citizens are aware of their rights and obligations as consumes. • Outreach: • Presentations in Institutions of higher Learning • Country wide Tours • Media activities – Radio & TV Progs.

  8. Fostering Competition in a Developing Economy In a growing economy, the CCPC as the top authority on matters related to Competition has ensured that market players in the economy conform their businesses to the prescribed conducts by not engaging in matters relating to anti-competitive practices and RBPs. A key highlight here is that a leniency Programme is in place but however, it is not yet operational. • Law Enforcement: • Multi-Choice (RBP) • Nyiombo & Omnia (RBP) • Car Garages(RBP) • Studies: • Cement • Sugar • Wheat

  9. Fostering Competition in a Developing Economy cont’d Approval of Mergers is another component that the CCPC has effectively been handling in Zambia as the economy continues to develop. Significant amounts of time and resources are invested by the CCPC to ensure that consumers are not negatively affected by any mergers approved by the CCPC. • Law Enforcement: • ZB Plc (Merger) • Mining Sector (Lumwana Mine etc – Merger) • Petroleum Sector (BP, Engen etc-Merger ) • Diary Sector (Parmalat-Merger)

  10. Collaborating with International Partners The CCPC collaborates with Regional and various International Competition Authourities for purposes of adopting the Best Practices. The Collaboration is further meant to promote sound and effective competition and Consumer Protection enforcement internationally. • COMESA Competition Authority • SADC Competition Authority • Exchange Programmes with Other Competition Authorities in the Region e.g. Malawi, Botswana & SA • ICPEN • ICN

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