CCPA to strike cos with class action over quality concern

The top consumer watchdog seeks to curb substandard products flooding retail markets

- Dhirendra Kumar

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is planning to initiate class action against companies that fail to meet quality standards, two people directly involved in the deliberations said, as the country's top consumer watchdog seeks to curb substandard products flooding retail markets.

The proposed class action aims to hold such entities accountable and send a clear message about the importance of maintaining product quality for the benefit of consumers.

This proposal comes after the Department of Consumer Affairs noted that consumer durable firms are using different, substandard parts for products sold in tier-II and tier-III cities, making them less efficient than those approved during quality test certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

The department has also directed the Bureau of Indian Standards to enhance its market surveillance activities. This involves increasing inspections, testing products more rigorously, and identifying cases where companies are violating quality norms.