NEED FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION AND EVOLUTION

• Consumption is one of the essential economic activities, which requires regular government intervention, as the market cannot be trusted to promote the consumers’ security and welfare. but, on the other hand, consumers have to be aware of the commercial aspects of the sale and purchase of goods and the health and security aspect. besides this, they should be mindful of their rights and duties.

• Following several consumer associations and long campaigns in several countries, the united nations prepared a ‘model code for consumer protection’. finally, drawing from economic co-operation and development (oecd) and the united states consumer bill of rights, the united nations guidelines for consumer protection (ungcp) got drafted and adopted on April 16, 1985.

• India also constituted the consumer protection act in 1986, established against adulterated and sub-standard products. its promulgation on December 24 is celebrated as ‘consumer’s day every year.

• These guidelines were adopted to protect consumers, establishing a high level of ethical conduct for those engaged in producing and distributing goods and services.

• As the name suggests, consumer awareness extends protection and knowledge for consumption. it could afford awareness to things like:

1. Maximum retail price (mrp).

2. Fair price shop.

3. Consumer awareness about price, quality and expiry date of the product.

4. Certified products like ISI, agmark, iso-2000.

• The consumer protection act also features a set of rights that all businesses alike must not abrogate. including:

1. Right to safety

2. Right to choose

3. Right to seek redressal

4. Right to consumer education

5. Right to be heard

6. Right to be informed.

• In the face of blatant exploitation, duplication and cheating, consumer awareness becomes imperative. for instance, some common ways certain sellers or businesses exploit consumers include:

1. Underweight and under-measurement

2. Sub-standard quality high prices

3. Duplicate articles

4. Adulteration and impurity

5. Lack of safety devices

6. Artificial scarcity

7. False and incomplete information

8. Unsatisfactory after-sale services

9. Rough behaviour

Blog By : Harsh Agrawal