Consumer Affairs Commission

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 12, 2019
(Photo attached Caption below)

PHOTO: DONALD DE LA HAYE, JIS
Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green (second left), using the new mobile app from the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) on his phone to compare prices of products in John R. Wong Supermarket in New Kingston, at the launch, on Wednesday (December 11). Observing (from left) are Directors of the CAC, Vernon Derby and Daenia Ashpole, and Chief Executive Officer, CAC, Dolsie Allen.

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) made history yesterday (Dec 11, 2019) by launching its first mobile application for consumers in Jamaica. The CAC Jamaica App which is made for Androids only is free and is extremely easy to use. The mobile App may be accessed via the Google Playstore. 

Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green, speaking at the launch of the CAC Jamaica App in Kingston said he was excited and pleased that he was able to give his audience a complete demonstration of the application.

“The CAC is launching this Mobile App to meet consumers who are demanding immediate, factual and interactive information to assist in purchasing decisions, in stores and online. It is one of the best pathways towards expanding the overall engagement and empowerment of consumers in 2019 and beyond” Minister Green said.

Consumers will be able to identify the geographical location of chosen outlets, compare prices and create baskets of goods they desire before making any purchase. In addition, users may access consumer news and laws, product recalls, market surveillance of the textbook prices, banking fees and rates, hardware items as well as any other economic operation that the Minister may deem necessary for research or investigation. The CAC Jamaica App may be used to also file complaints.

Members of the CAC’s Board of Directors, Ms Daenia Ashpole and Mr Vernon Derby were on hand to test the CAC Jamaica App yesterday and both expressed their satisfaction with the continued digitization strategy of the Commission’s market surveillance activities. They were impressed with the work of the CAC and were proud that the Commission is one of those government agencies using technology to deliver improved services to the consumers. 

“The CAC has given a beautiful Christmas gift to the people of Jamaica,” he added and congratulated the CAC team on this “significant achievement” Mr Derby said.

CEO of the Commission in her remarks noted that currently the CAC publishes a monthly survey of the grocery and petrol prices under the popular Consumer Alert! banner in the two major newspapers. However, the mobile application she emphasised, was developed in order to provide “on demand” access to information to a larger population of consumers. 

The CAC Jamaica App is aimed at strengthening the education, advocacy and engagement to increase confidence and vigilance among Jamaica’s consumers. 

FACT SHEET

What is the Consumer Affairs Commission(CAC) Jamaica App?

The CAC Jamaica App is extending consumer power and making it available at the fingertips of every user of an Android phone. CAC Jamaica App is FREE and really easy to use and is available on the Google Playstore.

What does the CAC Jamaica App do?

It offers options to consumers who wish to find grocery, petrol, textbook outlets, geographic location, availability and prices from across Jamaica. The CAC website analytics indicate that most consumers primarily search for petrol prices followed by issues regarding their Rights and Responsibilities as consumers. 

CAC Jamaica App has press releases, recalls from trade partners and local regulators notifications, the CAC’s market surveillance, consumer complaints, laws, and issues for advocacy. 

CAC Jamaica App is also easy access to the popular print publication CONSUMER ALERT! Print publication of a monthly survey findings about grocery and petrol outlets, product availability and prices and available on the CAC’s website www.cac.gov.jm. 

With the mobile App consumers now have a one-stop shop for all things consumer related in Jamaica’s market.

For more please contact…

Dorothy Elaine Campbell
Communication Unit
Mobile: 876-5648902

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.