Section 17 Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018

Section 17 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 is about Functions of the Commission. It is under Part III (Functions and Powers of the Commission) of the Act.

The Commission shall –
(a) be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Act and any other enactment with respect to competition and protection of consumers;

(b) initiate broad based policies and review economic activities in Nigeria to identify anti··competitive, anti-consumer protection and restrictive practices which may adversely affect the economic interest of consumers and make rules and regulations under this Act and any other enactment with regards to competitions and protection of consumers;

(c) advise the Federal Government generally on national policies and matters pertaining to all goods and services and on the determination of national norms and standards relating to competition and consumer protection;

(d) report annually on market practices and the implications for consumer choice and competition in the consumer market;

(e) carry out investigations or inquiries considered necessary or desirable in connection with any matter falling within the purview of this Act;

(f) advise the Federal Government on any matter relating to the operation of this Act including making recommendations to the Federal Government for the review of policies, legislation and subsidiary legislation as considered appropriate or as may be requested by the Federal Government or any of its ministries, departments or agencies for the eradication of anti-consumer protection and anti-competitive behaviour;

(g) eliminate anti-competitive agreements, misleading, unfair, deceptive or unconscionable marketing, trading and business practices;

(h) resolve disputes or complaints, issue directives and apply sanctions where necessary;

(i) give and receive advice from other regulatory authorities or agencies within the relevant industry or sector on consumer protection and competition matters;

(j) create public awareness · through seminars, workshops, studies and make available information with regard to the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions to the public;

(k) authorise, with or without conditions, prohibit or approve mergers of which notice is received;

(l) protect and promote consumer interests;

(m) regulate and seek ways and means of removing or eliminating from the market, hazardous goods and services, including emission, untested, controversial, emerging or new technologies, products or devices whatsoever, and cause offenders to replace such goods or services with safer and more appropriate alternatives;

(n) publish, from time to time, list of goods and services whose consumption and sale have been banned, withdrawn, restricted or are not approved by the Federal Government or foreign governments;

(o) organise or undertake campaigns and other forms of activities capable of promoting increased private and public consumer awareness;

(p) encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers;

(q) cause all imported goods to be registered for traceability whenever the need arises;

(r) collaborate with consumer protection groups and associations for consumer protection purposes;

(s) ensure that consumers’ interests receive due consideration at appropriate for a and provide redresses to obnoxious practices or the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers by companies, firms, trade associations or individuals;

(t) ensure the adoption of appropriate measures to guarantee that goods and services are safe for intended or normally safe use;

(u) collaborate with international organisations and agencies, firms, organisations, groups or persons for the purposes of exchange of information to locate the source of substandard goods;

(v) undertake regular research, study and analysis of consumer product standards and services rendered to the consumer and publish relevant observations, findings and recommendations in journals or other forms of publications for the benefit and general information of consumers;

(w) collaborate with government agencies or professional bodies in establishing and using laboratories, testing
facilities, common procedures in ensuring or enforcing standards of consumer goods or in assessing the quantum of loss or damage;

(x) act generally to reduce the risk and injury which may occur from consumption of certain consumer items and other services rendered to consumers which action may include restriction or prohibition;

(y) ensure that all service providers comply with local and international standards of quality and safe service delivery; and

(z) cause an offending company, firm, trade, association or individual to protect, compensate, provide relief and
safeguards to injured consumers or communities from adverse effects of technologies that are inherently harmful, injurious, violent or highly hazardous;