Freight industry should start setting up codes of conduct

The Consumer Protection Act is as much about treating people with dignity as it is about good, ethical business practice. Speaking at the November Transport Forum at the campus of the University of Johannesburg, Andisa Potwana, director: consumer and competition policy and law for the Department of Trade and Industry, said specific industries like that of freight should start preparing for the new Act by establishing industry codes of conduct. “This will help with better and efficient regulation. Government incorporates codes into the regulatory culture. The Act also recognises self-regulation.” He said while there would still be much interpretation of the new Act in the courts as the country found its way around the Act’s implementation, it was based on international law and treaties. “It adopts the Bill of Rights for Consumers, an approach taken by the United Nations. In South Africa there has been no substantial review of consumer laws since 1989 and with a growing number of scams and other irregular practices, along with a very real lack of understanding of consumers’ rights and the continuous exploitation of consumers, this Act was a necessity.” Potwana said the new Act would ensure consumers had the right to equality, privacy and the right to choose, while also having the right to the disclosure of information. “Small print is something of the past along with indemnity signs where companies waiver all rights. No longer will consumers be forced to buy unrelated products bundled together or take delivery of goods when it suits the company. The consumer will now have the right to expect delivery at a reasonable time that has been communicated to him.” Potwana said the DTI believed the Act would bring about more efficiency rather than hinder business. “More than anything else it is about treating the consumer with dignity.” He said a Consumer Commission was in the process of being established while regulations around the new Act would soon be made available. “The new Act promotes a corporate governance culture, more efficiencies and responsibility from managers and staff.”