The Resonating Legislations: Consumer Protection Act, 2019 & Competition Act, 2002

Shourya Sharma & Yash Bishnoi, BBA LL.B. (Hons.), O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat)

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses how consumerism, as a societal force, has encouraged businesses to be more trustworthy, effective, and responsive while putting pressure on the government to safeguard consumer interests. The Indian government has implemented two important legislations- the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Competition Act, 2002, which complement each other to form a comprehensive pair of legislations that protect the consumer interests effectively. The Consumer Protection Act operates the vertical relationship between manufacturers and consumers, while the Competition Act regulates the horizontal relationship between manufacturers or enterprises. The paper highlights the differences between the two acts in terms of objectives and applicability, and also presents examples of cases that exhibit confusion in determining whether it is a consumer case or a competition case. Despite the differences, the paper argues for the importance of the two acts working together to protect consumer interests and ensure market competitiveness.