Following are the important definitions under Section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019;


Section 2(5): Complainant – means a consumer and includes any voluntary consumer association registered under any law for the time being in force, or the central government or any state government or one or more consumers, where there are numerous consumers having the same interest or in case of death of a consumer, his legal heir or legal representative, or consumer being a minor, his parents or legal guardian in respect of commodities or services rendered to them.


Section 2(6): Complaint – the expression complaint means any allegations in writing made by a complainant that: -

  1. An unfair contract or unfair trade practices or a restrictive trade practice has been adopted by any trader/service.
  2. The goods bought by him or agreed to be bought by him, suffer from one or more defects.
  3. The services hired or availed of or agreed to be hired or availed of by him, suffer from any deficiency.
  4. A trader/service provider, as the case may be, has charged for the goods/services mentioned in the complaint, a price in excess of the price –
  5. Fixed by or under any law for the time being in force.
  6. Displayed on the goods or any package containing such goods.
  7. Displayed on the price list exhibited by him or under any law for the time being in force.
  8. Agreed between the parties.
  9. The goods which are hazardous to life and safety when used, are being offered for sale to the public.
  10. The services which are hazardous or likely to be hazardous to life or safety of the public when used, are being offered by a person who provides any service and who knows it is ingenious to life of public.
  11. A claim for product liability action lies against the product manufacturer, seller, or service provider, as the case may be.


Section 2(10): Defect – means any fault, imperfection in the quality, quantity, potency, purity, or standard which is required to be maintained by or under any law for the time being in force, or under any contract, expressed or implied, or as is claimed by the trader in any manner whatsoever in relation to any product/service and expression defective shall be construed accordingly.


Section 2(11): Deficiency – means any fault or imperfection or inadequacy in the quality, nature, or manner of performance which is required to be maintained by or under any law for the time being in force, or has been undertaken to be performed by a person in pursuance of a contract or otherwise in relation to any service and includes: -

  1. Any act of negligence or omission or commission by such person which causes loss or injury to the consumer.
  2. Deliberate withholding of relevant information by such person to the consumer.


Section 2(21): Goods – means every kind of movable property and includes “food” as defined in section 3(1)(j) of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.


Section 2(22): Harm – the term harm in relation to a product liability includes: -

  1. Damage to any property other than the product itself.
  2. Personal injury, illness, or death.
  3. Mental or emotional distress attendant to personal injury or illness or damage to property.


Section 2(42): Service – the term service means service of any description which is made available to potential users and include, but not limited to, the provision of facilities in connection with: -

  1. Banking
  2. Financing
  3. Insurance
  4. Transport
  5. Processing
  6. Supply of electrical or other energy
  7. Telecom services
  8. House construction
  9. Entertainment

But does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service.