South Africa’s Consumer Protection Act 2008 in a Global Context- Comparative Analysis and Insights

Summary:

The introduction reviews the evolution of consumer protection laws globally, including the South African Consumer Protection Act 2008 (CPA). A comparative analysis is conducted with the European Union and United States, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of each. The CPA's broad reach and focus on consumer rights are commended, but it lacks explicit provisions for digital commerce. Recommendations include updating the CPA with digital commerce guidelines and implementing a more streamlined enforcement mechanism to improve accessibility and deter violators.