Consumer
Rights
Yusuf Ridwan Bade
Class: 10 Aries
Introduction
Consumer rights explore the importance of
consumer awareness and the protection of
consumer interests in the marketplace. In today's
world, consumers are faced with a wide variety
of products and services, and they often
encounter issues like unfair trade practices,
substandard products, and misleading
advertisements. This chapter emphasizes the
rights that consumers have under the law to
protect themselves from exploitation.
What are
consumer rights?
Consumer Rights are referred to a set of
laws that represent the right to be
informed about the quantity, quality,
purity, potency, price of goods and their
standards so that the consumer is
protected against all sorts of unfair
trade practices.
Key Consumer
Rights
Right to Safety- Before buying, a consumer can insist on the
quality and guarantee of the goods. They should ideally
purchase a certified product like ISI or AGMARK.
Right to Choose- Consumer should have the right to choose
from a variety of goods and in a competitive price
Right to be informed- The buyers should be informed with all
the necessary details of the product, make her/him act wise,
and change the buying decision.
Right to Consumer Education- Consumer should be aware of
his/her rights and avoid exploitation. Ignorance can cost them
more.
Right to be heard- This means the consumer will get due
attention to express their grievances at a suitable forum.
Right to seek compensation- The defines that the consumer has
the right to seek redress against unfair and cruel practices or
exploitation of the consumer.
Case Study
Maggi Safety Concerns
In May 2015, the Food and Drug Administration
representatives from Barabanki, a district of
Uttar Pradesh, India stated that samples of the
product Maggi 2-Minute Noodles had unusually
excessive levels of lead. This finding led to
multiple market withdrawals and investigations
in India and beyond.
Factors that cause
exploitation of the customer
Lack of Awareness: Many consumers are not fully
aware of their rights and the laws that protect them.
This lack of knowledge makes them vulnerable to
exploitation by sellers and manufacturers.
False Advertising: Misleading advertisements and
claims by companies can deceive consumers into
buying products or services that do not meet their
expectations or are not as described.
Lack of Proper Standards: In some markets, there is
a lack of strict quality control and standardization,
allowing substandard or unsafe products to be sold
to consumers.
Steps taken by the government to
prevent exploitation of the customer
(a) MRTP Act (Monopolies and
Restrictive Trade Practices
Act) was enacted in 1984 to
check unfair trade practices.
(b) COPRA was enacted in
1986 to protect consumers
from exploitation in
marketplace.
(c) Consumer courts have
been set up to provide justice
to the people who were
treated unfairly in the
marketplace.
Conclusion
In conclusion we understand that
consumer rights are fundamental to
ensuring fair and just practices in
the marketplace. It highlights the
importance of being an informed
and vigilant consumer who is aware
of their rights and the protections
available under the law.
