The Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009, serves as a robust legal foundation to safeguard public against food adulteration, market fraud, and deceptive trade practices that compromise consumer rights across Bangladesh.
To promote active public participation, the legislation includes a unique provision where a complainant is entitled to receive 25 per cent of any fine realised from an offender, provided the allegation is proven.
Violators of this law face a range of penalties, including heavy fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.
The scope of the Act extends far beyond food safety, empowering authorities to intervene in cases involving tampered weights, the sale of counterfeit or expired items, and the marketing of unauthorised medicines or cosmetics.
Under Section 36, if an investigation identifies a product as visibly adulterated or hazardous to health and the accused does not contest the charge, the item may be seized immediately for destruction or disposal, reports BSS.
This ensures that harmful goods are removed from the marketplace before they can cause further injury to public. Transparency in the sale of goods and services is strictly mandated under Sections 37, 38, and 39 of the Act.
Producers are legally required to sell products in sealed packaging that clearly displays the weight, ingredients, manufacturing and expiry dates, and the maximum retail price; failure to do so is punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of Tk50,000, or both.
Establishments must display visible price lists for all products and services, with the same penalties applied to those who fail to maintain this transparency for their customers.
The legislation imposes significant deterrents for overcharging and health-related violations. Section 40 provides for up to one year in prison and a Tk50,000 fine for selling medicine or products above the prescribed price. However, more severe penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and a Tk2 lakh fine are reserved for those who knowingly sell adulterated products or mix prohibited, harmful substances into food items under Section 42.
Similarly, manufacturing goods using methods known to be dangerous to human life carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a Tk1 lakh fine under Section 43.
Deceptive commercial practices, such as misleading advertisements or failing to deliver promised goods after payment, are also addressed with strict legal consequences,. Using false claims to sell products is punishable by up to one year in jail and a Tk2 lakh fine under Section 44.
The Act systematically targets measurement fraud; supplying short weights or using tampered measuring instruments for weight or length carries a standard penalty of up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of Tk50,000 under Sections 46 through 49.
The production of counterfeit goods is treated with high severity under Section 50, carrying a three-year sentence, while the sale of expired products or medicines is penalised with up to one year in prison under Section 51.
Highlighting the importance of these legal protections, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister HM Sanzid Siddiqui described the Act as a vital safeguard for the people of Bangladesh.
He noted that while the law provides a strong framework, its ultimate success depends on strict enforcement, the adoption of technology-driven market surveillance, and the prompt resolution of consumer complaints to ensure the public receives the full benefits of the legislation.
