The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will roll out a national campaign during the month of February to raise awareness about the rights consumers are granted under the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The CPA comes into effect on April 1, 2011. It will be implemented by the National Consumer Commission, which will take over the Office of Consumer Protection of the DTI.

A statement released by the dti on Wednesday, said that the focus of the campaign will be on the rights of consumers to cancel or renew a fixed-term agreement, cancel direct marketing contracts within the cooling-off period, give effect to the consumer’s right to stop the usage of their data for direct marketing purposes, choose or examine goods, even after purchase and delivery, return goods and seek redress for unsatisfactory services, retain and not pay for unsolicited goods or services and cancel advance reservations.

The envisaged outcome of the campaign is to ensure that consumers are able to make well-informed buying decisions, are able to access a wide range of products and services based on honest and fair marketing and selling practices, have access to efficient and effective redress and are educated about their rights and responsibilities.

“This campaign is a continuation of the drive to prepare the public in general about their rights so that they can use the CPA effectively in protecting themselves, because informed consumers play an integral part in economic growth,” the DTI said in the statement.