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[Notice] CONSUMER PROTECTION (FAIR TRADING) ACT (CAP. 52A)
(Posted on behalf of the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore)
Dear Sellers,
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”) administers the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (Cap. 52A) or CPFTA, which seeks to protect consumers against unfair trading practices by suppliers in Singapore and provides additional rights to consumers in respect of goods that do not conform to contract.
What is an unfair practice under the CPFTA?
In transacting with a consumer, a supplier shall not (i) mislead or deceive a consumer, (ii) make a false claim to a consumer, (iii) take advantage of a consumer who might not be in a position to protect his/her own interests or when the consumer is not able to understand the character, nature, language or effect of the transaction; or (iv) do anything prohibited under the CPFTA.
What you should not do*:
- Do not represent that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, affiliation, performance characteristics, uses or benefits that they do not have. - Do not represent that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, model, origin, weight, volume, length, capacity or method of manufacture if they are not. - Do not offer gifts, prizes or other free items in connection with the supply of goods or services if the items will not be provided or provided as offered. | - Do not represent that goods or services are available at a discounted price for a stated period of time if you know or ought to know that such goods or services will continue to be so available for a substantially longer period. - Do not make a representation that appears like an editorial, documentary or scientific report, unless such representation states that it is an advertisement or promotion. - Do not use small print to conceal a material fact or mislead a consumer as to a material fact. |
*Note: Please refer to the list of specific unfair practices under the Second Schedule to the CPFTA.
What is Lemon Law?
It is a law that protects consumers against defective goods that fail to conform to contract or are of unsatisfactory quality or performance standards at the time of delivery. Under the CPFTA, suppliers have to repair, place, reduce the price or provide a refund for a defective good within six months from the date the good was delivered to the consumer.
What can CCCS do?
Under the CPFTA, CCCS is empowered to apply for injunction(s) against suppliers who have engaged, are engaging or are likely to engage in an unfair practice. Injunction applications can also be made against person(s) who knowingly abet, aid, permit or procure supplier(s) to engage in an unfair practice.
If the supplier under injunction does not comply with the injunction order, the court may impose a fine and/or a term of imprisonment on the supplier for breach of the injunction order. A person who refuses to provide information, destroy/falsify documents, provide misleading information and/or obstruct an officer conducting the investigation/enforcement is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or to both.
Enquiries
For more information on the CPFTA, please visit CCCS’s website at https://www.cccs.gov.sg/ or contact CCCS by phone at 1800-325-8282.
