Consumer Protection Act 1999 · Updated to 1 Nov 2021 · Part III · Safety of Goods and Services
19. Safety standards
Feedback & supportThe Minister may by regulations prescribe the safety standards in respect of—
any goods or class of goods; and
any services or class of services, and may prescribe different safety standards for different goods or services, or classes of goods or services.
The safety standard in relation to goods may relate to any or all of the following matters:
goods
“goods” means goods which are primarily purchased, used or consumed for personal, domestic or household purposes, and includes— (a) goods attached to, or incorporated in, any real or personal property; (b) animals, including fish; (c) vessels and vehicles; (d) utilities; and (e) trees, plants and crops whether on, under or attached to land or not, but does not include choses in action, including negotiable instruments, shares, debentures and money;
the performance, composition, contents, manufacture, processing, design, construction, finish or packaging of the goods;
the testing of the goods during or after manufacture or processing;
the form and content of markings, warnings or instructions to accompany the goods.
For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Controller and with consultation with the competent agency—
Controller
“Controller”, “Deputy Controller” and “Assistant Controller” mean persons appointed as such under section 7;
adopt in whole or in part the safety standard used by the competent agency; or
obtain advice from experts in the relevant field.
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Where no safety standard has been prescribed under subsection (1), the person supplying or offering to supply the goods or services shall adopt and observe a reasonable standard of safety to be expected by a reasonable consumer, due regard being had to the nature of the goods or services concerned.
prescribed
“prescribed” means prescribed by or under this Act or any regulations made under this Act, and where no mode is mentioned, means prescribed from time to time by order published in the Gazette;
In this section, “competent agency” means any person, body or authority that has determined or has the expertise to determine safety standards for any goods or services.
services
“services” includes any rights, benefits, privileges or facilities that are or are to be provided, granted or conferred under any contract but does not include rights, benefits or privileges in the form of the supply of goods or the performance of work under a contract of service;
This Part shall not apply to healthcare goods and food.
For the purpose of this Part, “healthcare goods” means any goods used or intended to be used, provided or intended to be provided or prescribed or intended to be prescribed in the provision of healthcare services.
healthcare services
“healthcare services” includes— (a) medical, dental, nursing, midwifery, allied health, pharmacy, and ambulance services and any other service provided by a healthcare professional; (b) accommodation for the purpose of any healthcare service; (c) any service for the screening, diagnosis or treatment of persons suffering from, or believed to be suffering from any disease, injury or disability of mind or body; (d) any service for preventive or promotive health purpose; (e) any service by any healthcare para-profesional; (f) any service for curing or alleviating any abnormal condition of the human body by the application of any apparatus, equipment, instrument or device or any other medical technology; or (g) any health related services including alternative and traditional medical services;