World Consumer Rights Day is observed on March 15 every year with the aim of raising global awareness of consumer rights and promoting consumer protection. The day is also commemorated to be aware of market injustices across the world. It is an annual event that celebrates solidarity within the international consumer movement.
On this day, people around the world support all basic consumer rights, demanding that these rights be protected and respected, and speaking out against market injustices.
History:
The day was first observed on March 15, 1983, inspired by US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s speech to the US Congress on March 15, 1962. He addressed the issue of consumer rights and emphasized its importance and became the first world leader to talk about consumer rights. Every year on this day, several organizations like Consumer International celebrate the occasion by organizing events and campaigns to protect consumer rights.
Importance:
The main purpose of celebrating World Consumer Rights Day is to ensure that consumers are not subjected to market exploitation or injustice that may jeopardize their rights. Consumers are aware of their rights and how they should be used in everyday life.
Theme:
This year, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is “Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions”. It aims to raise awareness of consumer empowerment and their role in promoting a faster clean energy transition.
Consumer International, the organization of consumer groups around the world, said: “In the midst of the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation and as the energy world reacts drastically to the problems of supply and climate, we have a central role to play in providing a just transition for consumers.
Consumer Rights in India:
On December 9, 1986, the Consumer Protection Act was passed in the Indian Parliament to empower consumers. The law emphasizes the establishment of consumer councils, forums and courts of appeal for the settlement of consumer grievances.
The law incorporates the following rights:
1. Right to be heard in an appropriate forum
2. Right to seek redress in the event of unfair commercial practices
3. Right to consumer education
4. Right to goods and services at competitive prices
5. Right to be informed of quality, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and services
6. Right to be protected against the abusive marketing of goods and services dangerous to life and property
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