| To vigorously promote consumer interests through policy guidelines and appropriate legislation in an attempt to minimize conflict and to create a fair trading environment. To be an efficient, effective and dynamic consumer body that adequately addresses the concerns of all stakeholders. Accountability
We will ensure that the decision-making process takes into account the concerns of all stakeholders and that the department be held accountable for its actions and results. Efficiency/Productivity
We will employ all available resources and capabilities to expeditiously satisfy the need requirements of our stakeholders. We promote the speedy resolution of consumer complaints with the view to encouraging fairness in the marketplace.
Transparency/Integrity
The department sets high standards that for itself in the conduct of its work. The department takes a professional, objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, and balanced approach to all of its activities. Integrity is the foundation of reputation, and department’s approach to its work gives surety to its ability to withstand public scrutiny. Fairness
The department will be impartial and unbiased in carrying out its mandate. As the mediator between consumers and businesses we will be objective and impartial in our attempt to promote a fair trading environment. All our actions and decisions must be honest and fair while dealing with stakeholders. The scope of the department is to: - Develop and implement appropriate education programmes and information policies
- Create and enact appropriate consumer protection legislation, regulations and policies
- Create avenues for redress and access to justice, in cases where fair-trading and the rights of consumers are violated
- Collaborate with non-governmental organizations and government institutions in promoting consumer interests and safeguarding consumer rights
- Procurement of adequate supplies of basic commodities and establishment of appropriate distribution channels.
Key Responsibilities In furthering its objectives, the department’s key responsibilities are to: - Assist in developing an informed, responsible and discerning consuming public
- Monitor the legislative environment to ensure effective safeguard of consumer rights
- Create a climate for understanding the role of Government in protecting consumer interests
- Promote and ensure compliance with quality standards for consumer goods and services
- Provide the enabling environment and institutional support that would create avenues for consumer education and redress
- Adopt code of ethics, which relate to consumer practices
- Monitor the distribution and prices of controlled items to ensure compliance with existing legislation
- Ensure that adequate supplies of good quality basic commodities are available consistently and that the prices of these commodities remain at an affordable level
- Investigate consumer complaints and/or consumer organizations with respect to violations of established fair trading practices
- Collect, collate and disseminate information on matters affecting the interests of consumers
Stakeholders Our decisions will impact on all stakeholders. The department will collaborate with all stakeholders through a network to ensure that consumer interests are promoted and that the goods and services available be they imported or manufactured locally meet existing standards Consumers
The department will listen to the consumer and will ensure that the relevant legislations are being enforced to protect their interests. Staff
The success of the agency depends on high performing people working together to achieve the goals of the organization. Special emphasis will be placed on human resource development with a view to ensuring that the staff is well trained and have a professional approach to work. Government
We are mindful that the government is our employer. We shall behave responsibly in ensuring full implementation of government policies on issues pertaining to the consumers and that we shall enforce all legislation without fear and favour. Business
We respect and appreciate the role of business within the realm of consumer protection. We will exercise fairness and impartiality in dealing with businesses. In order to effectively carry out its mandate the department adopted a structure that would give legitimacy and support toward the achievement of its objectives. A four tier configuration allowed for the creation of the following sections: Administration division: responsible for the overall administration and management of the department including policy development and making recommendations for legislative and administrative interventions. Complaints and Investigation Bureau: with core responsibility for complaint resolution and island-wide monitoring the prices of controlled goods. Consumer Education Services: responsible primarily for the documentation of and dissemination of relevant information to consumers Research Unit: responsible for undertaking research on pertinent areas of consumer concern. Organization Structure
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