The Consumer Affairs Office is poised to commemorate two significant milestones simultaneously in March 2026: World Consumer Rights Day on March 15 and the second anniversary of its operational launch on the same date in 2024. The department has announced an extensive week-long program from March 9-15, 2026, designed to reinforce consumer protection awareness and market confidence through various educational and engagement initiatives.
Aligned with the international theme ‘Safe products, Confident Consumers,’ the 2026 observance emphasizes the critical connection between product safety standards and consumer trust in global markets. The campaign reaffirms that access to secure and reliable goods and services constitutes both a fundamental consumer right and an essential component of equitable and prosperous economic systems.
Director Merlyn Horsford-Williams articulated the department’s mission, stating: ‘Our second anniversary coincides with a global call to prioritize consumer safety and trust. Product safety transcends regulatory compliance—it represents a moral imperative to safeguard both lives and livelihoods. Through collaborative awareness initiatives and responsible business conduct, we can cultivate market environments where consumers feel genuinely protected.’
The office reiterated the Consumer Protection Act’s provisions, which shield consumers from unfair trade practices, hazardous products, and deceptive information while delineating businesses’ ethical operational responsibilities. Businesses received specific guidance to ensure market-ready product safety compliance, provide transparent consumer information, and honor refund/exchange policies alongside fair treatment protocols.
Consumers were advised to exercise vigilance through careful label examination, expiration date verification, proactive information seeking, and reporting questionable products or practices to authorities. The department maintains accessible communication channels including telephone, email, and official website resources for public inquiries and violation reports.