One might call the new Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), which was gazetted on 29 April 2009, the ‘mother of all consumer acts.’ The CPA will to a large extent be introduced in two parts such that its first phase introduction, which is scheduled for April 2010, will primarily see the establishment of the National Consumer Commission which will be the body that is empowered to investigate public complaints, issue compliance notices and refer matters to the National Consumer Tribunal which was established under the National Credit Act. The second phase will see the majority of the other provisions of the CPA becoming effective on October 2010 and requiring implementation. Virtually every business in South Africa will feel the affect of the Act.

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