The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 protects the interests of consumers in the market. This act contains the following definitions −
Definition 1 − "Appropriate laboratory" refers to a laboratory or organization which is
● Recognized by the Central Government;
● Recognized by a State Government,
● Any laboratory or organization established under any law for the time being in force, which is maintained and financed or aided by the Central Government or a State Government for carrying out analysis or test of any goods for defects.
Definition 2 − “Complainant” refers to
● A consumer
● Any voluntary consumer association registered under the Companies Act, 1956
● The Central Government or any State Government
● Consumers having the same interest
Definition 3 − "Complaint" refers to any allegation in writing made by a complainant of
● An unfair or restrictive trade practice
● The goods bought suffering from defects
● The services hired having deficiencies
● Goods sold by a trader being in excess price
● Goods hazardous to life and safety being sold by any trader
Definition 4 − “Consumer” refers to a person who
● Buys any goods
● Hires any service
Definition 5 − “Consumer dispute” refers to a dispute where a consumer make a complaint against a person and the person denies the allegations contained in the complaint.
● "Defect" refers to any fault in the quality or quantity of any goods.
● "Deficiency" refers to fault in the quality or quantity of any services.
● "District Forum" refers to a Consumer Dispute Redressed Forum.
● "Goods" refers to goods as defined in the Sale of Goods Act, 1930.
● "Manufacturer" refers to a person who
ü Makes and manufactures goods and parts
ü Assembles goods made by other manufactures and claims the end product to be manufactured by him.
ü Puts his trademark on commodities manufactured by other manufacturers and claims the commodities to be manufactured by him.
● "National Commission" refers to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
● "Notification" refers to a notification published in the Official Gazette.
● "Prescribed" refers to prescribed rules made by the State Government or the Central government.
● "Service" refers to service of any description, which is made available to potential users.
● "State Commission" refers to a Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission established in a State.
● "Trader" refers to a person who sells or distributes any goods for sale, including the manufacturer.