• Says consumer may cancel advance reservation, booking and receive a refund
Dike Onwuamaeze
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has tasked supermarkets and retail operators to adhere strictly to laws guiding price tagging, minimum labelling requirements, and return and refund obligations. This was delivered yesterday in Lagos by Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, during a stakeholders meeting, themed, “Price Tagging, Minimum Labelling Requirements and Return/Refund: The Implications on Non-Regulatory Compliance.”
The meeting put together by FCCPC and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), attracted the participation of Standard Organisation of Nigeria, National Orientation Agency, National Association of Supermarket Operators of Nigeria (NASON), etc.
Bello, represented by Zonal Coordinator, South-west Zonal Office, FCCPC, Mrs. Olubunmi Otti, emphasised that the “requirements relating to price display, product labelling, and consumer remedies are not optional standards or best practice guidelines”.
He stated, “They are legal obligations established under the FCCPC’s Act, and businesses are expected to comply with them.
“Where businesses fail to meet these obligations, the Commission has a duty to act.”
According to him, consumers must be confident that the price they see on the shelf is the price they will pay and must be able to rely on the information provided about the products they buy.
He added that consumers must also know that where the law gave them the right to a refund, replacement or repair, and that right will be respected.
Bello said, “We are here to discuss three issues that affect consumers and businesses every single day: price tagging, minimum labelling requirements, and return and refund obligations.
“These may seem like ordinary aspects of doing business, but they play a vital role in building confidence in the marketplace.
“They help consumers make informed decisions, encourage fair competition and create a level playing field for businesses that choose to operate responsibly.”
Bello stated that displaying prices was not simply a good business practice but was also a basic requirement of fairness.
According to him, a consumer should know what an item costs before deciding whether to buy it and “no one should have to take a product to the checkout before learning its price”.
He said, “The law requires businesses to display the prices of goods and services clearly in the currency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That requirement promotes transparency, allows consumers to compare prices, reduces disputes and strengthens confidence in the marketplace.”
He also said consumers had a right to know what they are buying, therefore, “product labels should clearly identify what a product is, who made it, where appropriate what it contains, when it expires and any important information needed for its safe use.
“Businesses also have a responsibility to disclose when products are reconditioned or second-hand.
“Manufacturers, importers, distributors and suppliers all share that responsibility because accurate labelling protects consumers throughout the supply chain.
“This is especially important for food, medicines, cosmetics and household chemicals.
“Proper labelling protects consumers. It also protects responsible businesses by making products easier to identify and trace.”
Bello emphasised that return and refund obligations were equally important because they gave consumers confidence that they would not be left without a remedy when something went wrong.
He said, “The law gives consumers important rights in defined circumstances.
“A consumer may cancel an advance reservation, booking or order and receive a refund, subject only to reasonable cancellation charges that were disclosed beforehand.
“Consumers also have the right to return goods that are defective, unsafe, unsuitable for the purpose made known to the supplier, or supplied without an opportunity for prior inspection and later found not to match their description or sample.
“Where the law provides, consumers are entitled to appropriate remedies, including repairs, replacements or refunds.”
He said, “Every transaction also carries an implied warranty that goods supplied will be of acceptable quality and fit for the purpose for which they were purchased.”
According to Bello, businesses cannot simply rely on notices such as, “no refund after payment,” or “goods received in good condition cannot be returned,” where the law gives the consumer a right to a remedy.
“Such notices cannot take away rights that are guaranteed by law,” he said.
Bello stated that the partnership between FCCPC and LASCOPA was a reflection of their desire to enable consumers to enjoy effective protection while ensuring that businesses operated in a fair, transparent, and predictable regulatory environment.
He stated, “Our collaboration also provides businesses with greater clarity.
“Rather than receiving different messages from different regulators, businesses benefit from consistent guidance and coordinated engagement.
“Consumers, in turn, can be confident that their complaints will receive appropriate attention, regardless of which agency they approach.”