Family Economics and Consumer Education

Family Economics And Consumer Education 3 (2+1)

Lesson 16 : Consumer Rights And Responsibilities

Consumer Rights

Consumer possesses some rights for getting right type of goods of right quality and at right price. USA is the first country to recognize four basic rights and it was John. F. Kennedy, the then president of USA who defined the right on 15th march 1962 in his special message to the congress on consumer protection. The four basic rights declared were

1. Right to safety
2. Right to choose
3. Right to be heard
4. Right to information

15th March is celebrated as consumer Rights day
In India in 1968, the Consumer Protection Act was passed. It enlisted five rights. Then again the Consumer Unity and Trust society (cuts) Kolkata in one of its publications enlisted 10 rights as detailed below.
The Basic Rights of Consumers Are

1. Right to Safety: This right of consumer implies that consumer must be protected against hazardous effects that may be caused due to health or life of the consumers. It means the right to be protected against goods, products, production services and environment which are highly dangerous to health and life i.e. safe water, air, food and other environmental protection should be provided. Safety is not only for the individual, but also for the community at large. The right to safety has been broadening to include the concern for consumer’s long term interest, not only their immediate desires.
2. Right to Be Informed: The consumer must be safeguarded from malpractices of tradesman and their misleading messages through various advertisement media and labeling. Whenever a consumer asks for the product or services, he expects some information about the products and the details of the services. Therefore all the transactions of buying for enjoying goods and services from the seller involve furnishing information.

The information relates to the physical properties or the functions of the article or services and the legal implications of the transactions. Knowledge of all such information is helpful in the selection as well use of the products. The relevant information helps in safeguarding the interest of the consumer.
E.g.; a consumer who buys electrical equipment, would like to have information on its price, its quality, size, voltage, wattage instructions and precautions to be taken while handling the equipment.

3. The Right to Choose: The consumer must have the right to choose the product and its contents which he wants. He should be free to choose from the variety of goods that are available and the quality of goods that gives him satisfaction. He must have the right to choose the goods at right and rational price.
4. Right to Be Heard: It is one of the first principles of Justice. This right assumes a significant place in law whenever there is a case of dispute against any individual in the society. This means the right to represent so that consumer’s interests receive full and sympathetic consideration against exploitative elements in the society. Whenever a seller sells goods to a consumer or renders services to the consumer it becomes duty of seller to give patient hearing to the problems of a consumer.
5. Right to Redressal: Every consumer has the right to a fair settlement of just claims. It involves the right to receive compensation for wrong goods or services. Redressal is the natural follow up of hearing to complaint and making a settlement in a manner that is acceptable to the consumer as well as to the seller. This is in continuation to the right to be heard. (This right has been generally accepted since early 1970’s).
6. Right to Consumer Education: It refers to every person right to acquire knowledge and skills for being an informed consumer. So that he is able to make an enlightened and wise decisions while he purchases goods or services. The right to consumer education means preparing an individual to solve his problems as a consumer.

Through consumer education, the consumer receives general education regarding consumer rights, laws and philosophy of consumer protection and understanding his roles and responsibilities as a consumer in the market.
The consumer is the focal point of all activities of the nation’s economy. Hence he should be given all information about price conditions, quality of goods and other details of marketing.

7. Right to Healthy Environment: It is the birth right if every individual in the society to have a clean typical environment that will enhance the quality of life. This right calls for use to protect and improve the environment; for the present and future generations. It is important that the consumer is allowed to enjoy, safe and protected environment. A strong consumer movement will provide a platform to achieve this right of consumer in the real terms.

The consumer must have every right to live in a clean atmosphere and area for a happy, healthy and long life.

8. Right to Have Knowledge Of Consumerism: The idea of consumerism starts from the consumption and the consumption priorities are laid on the fulfillment of the basic needs of an individual. This right implies that consumer has every right to lead a normal life in the society as an individual.
9. Right to Opportunities: Every individual in a society wants to lead a decent life. For attaining this, his basic needs should be satisfied. So that he would be in a position to work and earn his living without being exploited. Among the wide variety, opportunities available in a modern society, the consumer has the right to choose one of his interests. Consumer exploitation can be curbed only through consumer resistance and self understanding.
10. Right to Redressal: The consumer must have a right to file a case against salesman/businessmen, when there is a complaint against a product.