Consumer Council receives 1,596 complaints related to defective products

The Consumer Council of Fiji has received 1,596 complaints related to defective products from 2023 to January 2026, with a total monthly value of about $1.3 million.

Council Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil revealed this while speaking at the launch of World Consumer Rights Day and Fiji’s National Product Safety Campaign at the Civic Centre today.

Shandil says the figures are likely just the tip of the iceberg, as some consumers report their issues to other organisations such as the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) or the Small Claims Tribunal, while others choose not to lodge complaints at all.

She also highlights research by Consumers International across 70 countries, which shows that only 30 percent of people believe their national product safety systems work effectively.

Shandil says the situation is further complicated by the fact that 28 percent of countries do not have an official body to report unsafe products, and even where such systems exist, they are often limited.

She stresses that the biggest concern is what happens after product safety risks are identified, adding that the Council aims to move consumers from blind trust to informed confidence.

Shandil is urging consumers to check product labels, keep receipts, report unsafe products and demand accountability.

After launching the campaign, Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Esrom Immanuel says this year’s campaign will focus on four key product safety areas that affect everyday households.

These include electrical and electronic products, vehicles and spare parts, children’s products, and cosmetic and personal care items.

Immanuel says these sectors carry various safety risks, including fire hazards, electrical faults, contamination, injuries and long-term health effects.

He adds that confident consumers help build strong economies, which is important for Fiji as a small island developing state that relies heavily on imported goods.

Immanuel says while international trade brings diversity and affordability, it also brings challenges as products move across borders and through complex supply chains where risks can arise at different stages.