Interface Between Consumer Protection and Competition Law in Tanzania: Critical Areas of Cooperation and Conflict

Abstract

Consumer protection law and competition law areinterrelated, closely knitted and cannot be dealt with inisolation of the other. The two branches of law are delicatelyintertwined and often overlap with each other and a criticalassessment needs to be undertaken to fully understand andappreciate how the two laws interface with each other.These two laws have interfaced in many aspects includingsharing a common purpose and their cardinal desire topromote and protect each other. It should be borne in mindthat through such interface, the two branches of law eitherco-operate or at times conflict with each other.In interfacing, Competition and Consumer Protection lawshave benefits that include realisation of a fully functioningmarket, an improved inflow of information, detection ofanticompetitive practices, control of complicated productsand services, and protection of consumers.However, the above interface has demerits. These includedisincentives to invest by firms holding dominant positions, increase of "fly-by-night" operators and cropping up ofunethical and criminal behaviours as firms compete witheach other.To address the above demerits posed by the interface of thetwo branches of law, this article suggests that there shouldbe close coordination and coherence of the two laws, use ofeconomics based models and emphasis on consumerprotection.Keywords: Consumer Protection Law, Competition Law, Cooperation,Conflicts, Tanzania.