CAC Urges Consumer Caution in Online Shopping

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging consumers to exercise heightened caution when purchasing goods, particularly online, in light of growing concerns about unsafe or improperly labelled products in global markets.

Director of Communications, Latoya Halstead, issued the call during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, where she highlighted findings from an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on global product safety.

“The report, conducted in 2021 and declassified in 2023, examined product safety issues that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a surge in entrepreneurial activity and new businesses resulted in a significant increase in goods entering global markets,” she indicated.

Ms. Halstead noted that the study highlighted three key areas of concern related to product safety.

“The first tier relates to products that continue to be available for sale, despite being banned or recalled in certain markets. The second tier focuses on goods that have inadequate or incomplete labelling, making it difficult for consumers to properly assess the safety or authenticity of the products, while the third tier highlights products that fail to meet voluntary or mandatory product safety standards,” she outlined.

The Director explained that the issue is compounded by the fact that countries maintain differing regulatory frameworks and standards for goods.

“As consumers, we have a plethora of goods in front of us… but different countries have different regulations and different standards. Because of that, there is no unilateral global standard for products,” she said.

Ms. Halstead emphasised that national regulatory agencies play a vital role in safeguarding the local market.

In Jamaica, this includes the work of the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA) and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), which establish and enforce product standards.

Ms. Halstead pointed out that businesses also encounter challenges when sourcing goods, as they may not always have clear information about the quality or safety of products intended for resale.

“Businesses are also consumers… they make purchases as well. But sometimes they themselves are not sure about the quality of the goods they are purchasing because of inadequate labelling or limited verification options online,” she informed.

The Director cautioned that the rapid growth of online shopping has heightened product safety risks, particularly when purchases are made through unfamiliar or unverified websites.

“It is not just about what is available in brick-and-mortar stores anymore. Many consumers are purchasing goods online from a wide range of sources, and those online channels come from various jurisdictions with different rules,” Ms. Halstead noted.

As such, she encourages consumers to conduct thorough research before making online purchases.

Consumers are also advised to review product feedback, verify seller credibility, and consult international product safety resources where possible.

Ms. Halstead recommends the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada’s recall database, both of which provide information on recalled or unsafe non food products.

“Even if you cannot physically go into a store, someone else has likely purchased the item and shared their experience. We encourage consumers to read reviews and do as much investigation as possible before making purchases,” she advises.

Ms. Halstead further urges consumers to act swiftly if they encounter problems with purchased goods.

“If you buy a product and there is an issue, do not wait. Immediately contact the vendor and start the process to resolve the matter, because goods must be fit for purpose,” she emphasised.

Ms. Halstead reminds consumers that the Consumer Affairs Commission is available to assist with disputes and complaints related to goods and services.

Source: JIS