According to the Cameroon consumer protection law, a consumer is anyone who uses products to satisfy their own needs and those of their dependents and not to resell, process or use them in the course of his or her profession, or any person who benefits from the provision of services.
Consumer protection principles
National consumer protection policy is based, within the framework of treaties, laws and regulations in force, and in particular the following principles;
- The principle of protection according to which consumers have the right to the protection of life, health, safety and the environment in the consumption of goods and services.
- The principle of satisfaction, according to which consumers are entitled to the satisfaction of the product, good or service in the areas of health, food, water, housing, education, energy, transport, communications and any other field of technology, goods and services.
- The principle of equity according to which consumers are entitled to full compensation for damages suffered which, under the provisions of this law or other applicable regulations in force, are attributable to suppliers or providers.
- The principle of participation, according to which consumers have the right and freedom to form voluntary, autonomous and independent consumer associations or organizations in order to achieve or participate in the promotion and defense of the rights covered by this law.
Economic and technological consumer protection
Unfair, restrictive or anti-competitive commercial practices, as well as unfair terms in consumer contracts and agreements, must be regulated and controlled and can also be prohibited in all contracts and transactions to which the law on consumer protection applies.
Contractual clauses are null and void if they;
- Exonerate, exclude, reduce or limit the liability of suppliers or service providers for defects, deficiencies or inadequacies of any kind in the technology, the goods supplied or the service rendered;
- Involve the loss of rights and freedoms guaranteed to the consumer or restrict their exercise;
- Create contractual terms or conditions that are unfair, unreasonable, inequitable, repressive or which make the consumer liable for defects, deficiencies or inadequacies that are not immediately apparent;
- Impose a unilateral arbitration clause.
Standard agreements or membership contracts must be drawn up in French and English in characters that are visible and legible at first sight by any person with normal eyesight. They must be regulated and controlled to ensure legitimate consumer protection for the consumer.
In addition, the agreements or contracts referred to in paragraph 1 above must contain terms that are clear and comprehensible to the general public, without referring to other contracts, rules, practices, texts and documents not known to the public or not made before or during the performance of the said contracts. The parties to an agreement or contract shall each receive and keep a copy of the documents, texts evidence of the transaction.
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