LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-As the world marks World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has called for urgent action to strengthen consumer protection laws and improve public service delivery amid growing concerns over unsafe products and weak regulatory enforcement.
Marking World Consumer Rights Day under the theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director, John Kapito raised concern over the continued circulation of counterfeit, expired, and substandard goods in markets across the country.
He said the affected products range from food items and medicines to electrical appliances, cosmetics, and solar equipment.
According to Kapito, the widespread presence of such goods not only threatens public health and safety but also undermines trust in the marketplace and the economy.
He noted that despite the existence of regulatory bodies including the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), Pesticides Control Board, Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), and Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority market inspection and enforcement remain insufficient.
CAMA has urged these institutions to intensify surveillance, strengthen coordination, and ensure that unsafe products are intercepted before reaching consumers.
The organization also called for closer collaboration between regulatory agencies and border authorities to prevent the importation of substandard goods.
CAMA emphasized the need for improved service delivery in key public institutions such as hospitals, water boards, electricity providers, and road maintenance authorities.
Kapito stressed that access to safe water, quality healthcare, reliable electricity, and respectful treatment in public services is not a privilege, but a fundamental consumer right.
The association further appealed for stronger enforcement of standards and tougher penalties for traders dealing in fake or substandard goods.
It also highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness to empower consumers to demand better quality products and services.
“Consumers deserve safe, reliable, and high-quality goods and services. Regulatory institutions must act decisively to restore confidence in the market,” Kapito said.
World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15, serves as a global reminder of the importance of protecting consumers and strengthening systems that safeguard their rights.
CAMA reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to promote safer products, stronger regulations, and improved services for all consumers in Malawi.