Chapter III - Central Consumer Protection Authority
Section 18
Section 18: Powers and functions of Central Authority
Section 18 lists the CCPA’s consumer-rights, unfair-practice and misleading-ad functions, including inquiry, investigation, litigation, safety notices and guidelines.
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Need advice on Section 18?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The Central Authority shall— (a) protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers as a class, and prevent violation of consumers rights under this Act; (b) prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages himself in unfair trade practices; (c) ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder; (d) ensure that no person takes part in the publication of any advertisement which is false or misleading.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the Central Authority may, for any of the purposes aforesaid,-- (a) inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into violations of consumer rights or unfair trade practices, either suo motu or on a complaint received or on the directions from the Central Government; (b) file complaints before the District Commission, the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, under this Act; (c) intervene in any proceedings before the District Commission or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, in respect of any allegation of violation of consumer rights or unfair trade practices; (d) review the matters relating to, and the factors inhibiting enjoyment of, consumer rights, including safeguards provided for the protection of consumers under any other law for the time being in force and recommend appropriate remedial measures for their effective implementation; (e) recommend adoption of international covenants and best international practices on consumer rights to ensure effective enforcement of consumer rights; (f) undertake and promote research in the field of consumer rights; (g) spread and promote awareness on consumer rights; (h) encourage non-Governmental organisations and other institutions working in the field of consumer rights to co-operate and work with consumer protection agencies; (i) mandate the use of unique and universal goods identifiers in such goods, as may be necessary, to prevent unfair trade practices and to protect consumers' interest; (j) issue safety notices to alert consumers against dangerous or hazardous or unsafe goods or services; (k) advise the Ministries and Departments of the Central and State Governments on consumer welfare measures; (l) issue necessary guidelines to prevent unfair trade practices and protect consumers' interest.
Introduction
The Authority can protect consumers as a class, inquire into public-interest concerns, file or intervene in proceedings, review safeguards, recommend measures and issue necessary guidelines.
Section 18 describes powers and functions; it does not replace conditions, process or appeal rights in the sections governing a particular order.
Key takeaways
Who and what it covers
The Authority can protect consumers as a class, inquire into public-interest concerns, file or intervene in proceedings, review safeguards, recommend measures and issue necessary guidelines.
Operational step
Map the Authority’s stated action to the specific clause of section 18.
Boundary
Section 18 describes powers and functions; it does not replace conditions, process or appeal rights in the sections governing a particular order.
Purpose and trigger
The Authority can protect consumers as a class, inquire into public-interest concerns, file or intervene in proceedings, review safeguards, recommend measures and issue necessary guidelines.
Practical sequence
Map the Authority’s stated action to the specific clause of section 18.
- Map the Authority’s stated action to the specific clause of section 18.
- Preserve the market-practice, product-safety or advertisement evidence relevant to that function.
- For a recall or ad penalty, read the separate order provisions in sections 20 and 21.
Limit and related provision
Section 18 describes powers and functions; it does not replace conditions, process or appeal rights in the sections governing a particular order.
The text is the central Act. Check current rules, regulations and notifications where the section delegates a detail.
Hypothetical example
The CCPA issues a consumer-safety notice about a product category while examining a misleading advertising campaign under its separate powers.
Primary sources
The statutory wording is drawn from the official central Act and checked against the India Code consolidation. The commencement notice identifies when this provision took effect.
Practical checklist
Do
- Map the Authority’s stated action to the specific clause of section 18.
- Preserve the market-practice, product-safety or advertisement evidence relevant to that function.
- For a recall or ad penalty, read the separate order provisions in sections 20 and 21.
Avoid
- Do not use the broad functions list as a substitute for a particular order’s statutory process.
- Section 18 describes powers and functions; it does not replace conditions, process or appeal rights in the sections governing a particular order.
Illustrative example
Section 18 in practice
The CCPA issues a consumer-safety notice about a product category while examining a misleading advertising campaign under its separate powers.
Identify the trigger
The Authority can protect consumers as a class, inquire into public-interest concerns, file or intervene in proceedings, review safeguards, recommend measures and issue necessary guidelines.
Gather evidence
Preserve the market-practice, product-safety or advertisement evidence relevant to that function.
Apply the limit
Section 18 describes powers and functions; it does not replace conditions, process or appeal rights in the sections governing a particular order.
Outcome
- For a recall or ad penalty, read the separate order provisions in sections 20 and 21.
Glossary
- Consumers as a class
- Consumers collectively affected by conduct rather than only one complainant.
- Safety notice
- An alert under section 18(2)(j) about dangerous, hazardous or unsafe goods or services.
Frequently asked questions
Can the CCPA act for consumers as a class?
Yes. Section 18(1) expressly includes protection and enforcement of rights of consumers as a class.
May the Authority issue safety notices?
Section 18(2) includes safety notices to alert consumers against dangerous or hazardous goods or services.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026