Office for the Protection of Consumers

The Office for the Protection of Consumers (OPC) is a government office operating within the Illuminatia Bureau of Commerce and Trade (BCT) responsible for advocating for the rights of consumers. The OPC intervenes in commercial matters proactively and retroactively to ensure consumers are not acting at a disadvantage when interacting with the marketplace.

The OPC intervenes in commercial matters in which there is a power imbalance between the end consumer and the merchant, manufacturer, vendor, or other purveyor. In situations in which the consumer is at a natural disadvantage as far as strength of influence, finance, or ability to advocate in their self-interest, the OPC may arbitrate on behalf of the consumer in individual and categorical contexts, and may also utilize the jurisdiction of its parent agency, the BCT, to rulemake in most matters of trade and commerce that are not delegated to other offices of the BCT. The OPC may also interact with other BCT offices to chaperone consumer matters through the litigation and advocacy process.

The Office for the Protection of Consumers is responsible for a host of rules and regulatory standards that make it difficult for manufacturers, retailers, and host of corporations that provide services and products to consumers to engage in dishonest, fraudulent, anti-consumer practices.