15/03/2026
COMMEMORATION OF WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY 2026
THEME: Safe Products, Confident Consumers
As the world commemorates World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March, the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) joins the global Consumer Movement in calling for stronger protection of Consumer Rights and improved quality of goods and services. This year’s theme SAFE PRODUCTS, CONFIDENT CONSUMERS highlights the importance of ensuring that Consumers have access to safe, reliable and highquality products and services.
Consumers continue to face serious challenges due to the influx of counterfeit, expired and substandard products in all markets across the country and these include food items, electrical appliances, cosmetics, medicines and solar products to mention a few. The presence of such products not only undermines consumer confidence but also poses serious economic risks, consumers health and safety risks.
Despite the presence of Regulatory Institutions such as the Malawi Bureau of Standards, Pesticides Control Board, Competition and Fair Trading Commission and Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority there is lack of market inspection and monitoring on the market which continues to put the lives of Consumers at risk. Consumers also continue experiencing poor quality of service delivery in many public delivery institutions particularly such as public hospitals, Water Boards and Poor Road Maintenance.
Consumer confidence regarding quality products and services has reduced to its lowest since most of those institutions charged with providing oversight and supervision have neglected their responsibilities. These challenges undermine the right of Consumers to access safe, quality and dignified care services such as Health Water and Food which are a critical public service and Consumers deserve dignified and respectful treatment.
CAMA is therefore calling for the following;
1. Strengthened market monitoring and inspection and ensure substandard products are removed from the market
2. Strong and enforceable standards are enacted and enforced
3. Public Regulatory Authorities must begin to perform the functions they were established for
4. Improved coordination among Regulatory Agencies and border authorities to prevent the entry of unsafe goods
5. Stronger enforcement and penalties against fraudulent traders and suppliers dealing in fake or substandard products.
6. Improved service delivery in public institutions particularly Hospitals, Water and Electricity Boards.
7. Increased Consumer Awareness to empower consumers to demand better quality services.
