SingaporeThe business refuses to give a repair option. Must they offer one?
No, a business in Singapore is not legally required to offer repair as an option — they may instead offer replacement or refund, depending on whether the failure is major or minor under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA) governs remedies for defective goods in Singapore. It does not mandate repair as the default remedy — businesses may choose between repair, replacement, or refund, depending on the nature of the failure.
Under the CPFTA, if a consumer receives goods that do not conform to the contract (e.g., faulty, not fit for purpose, or not as described), the seller must provide a remedy. However, the law distinguishes between 'major failures' and 'minor failures'.
For a major failure, the consumer may reject the goods and demand a full refund or replacement — and the seller cannot insist on repair instead. For a minor failure, the seller may choose to repair or replace, unless repair is not possible or would cause unreasonable delay.
The CPFTA gives consumers the right to claim remedies within a reasonable time — generally interpreted as within 30 days of purchase for obvious defects — but this depends on the circumstances, including the nature of the product and defect.
Statutory TextIf the failure to comply with the guarantee is a major failure, the consumer may reject the goods and recover a refund or seek damages.
— Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, s. 13(2) — Remedies for failure to comply with guarantees
Statutory TextWhere the failure to comply with the guarantee is not a major failure, the supplier may choose to repair or replace the goods.
— Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, s. 13(3) — Minor failures
What to Do
Check if the defect amounts to a 'major failure' (e.g., unsafe, substantially unfit, or significantly different from description).
If it is a major failure, request a refund or replacement — the business cannot force repair.
If it is minor, the business may choose repair — but only if it’s feasible and timely.
If the business refuses all remedies, file a claim with the Small Claims Tribunals (up to S$20,000 for consumers).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.