The main rights of consumers are as follows:
1. Right to safety:
Consumers have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to life and health. Food additives and colours, dangerous toys, flammable fabrics, unsafe appliances are examples of such goods. Consumers are entitled to healthy and safe products.
2. Right to information:
It means the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and the price of goods so as to protect the consumers against unfair trade practices.
3. Right to choose:
Consumers must have access to a variety of goods at competitive prices. Free competition and wide variety enable consumers to choose the best goods.
4. Right to be heard:
Consumers need to be assured that their interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums.
5. Right to education:
Consumers have the right to be made aware of their rights and remedies available to them for redressal of their grievances.
6. Right to redressal:
Standing machinery must be provided for quick and satisfactory redressal of consumer grievances against unfair trade practices and exploitation by unscrupulous elements.
7. Right to healthy environment:
Consumers have the right to live in a pollution free environment. This is necessary to enhance the quality of human life.
Methods of Consumer Protection
The following methods can be adopted for protection of consumers.
1. Self-regulation by business:
Business exists to serve consumers. There is a growing realisation that business should provide good quality products at reasonable prices. Businessmen should regulate their behaviour by adopting just and fair trade practices.
They should avoid the temptation to make money by cheating customers. Trade associations and chambers of commerce should enforce discipline among businessmen through codes of conduct and regulations.
2. Consumer Association:
Consumers themselves should insist on value for money spent and ensure their rights. They should organise and unite by forming consumer associations.
Common cause, VOICE, Grahak Panchayat are examples of such associations in India. They are educating consumers and protecting their rights. “Self help is the best help”.
3. Consumerism:
According to Philip Kotler, “consumerism is an organised movement of citizens and Government to strengthen the rights and powers of buyers in relation to seller”.
Consumerism is a social force aimed at protecting the consumers by exerting moral and economic pressure on business community. It is an organised movement of consumers.
The Government of India has taken several measures to promote a strong and broad-based consumer movement in the country. It has instituted National Awards for consumer protection and provides financial assistance to consumers’ organisations.
The Consumers’ Welfare Funds Scheme 1992 is meant to provide financial assistance to protect and promote the welfare of the consumers. It prepares and distributes audiovisual materials on consumer affairs.
March 15 every year is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day. Radio and Doordarshan carry programmes regularly on consumer protection.
A quarterly journal UPBHOKTA, JAGRAN and several booklets are published to educate consumers. The Bureau of India Standards is preparing and implementing quality standards and certification schemes.
4. Legislative measures:
Government of India has taken several legislative measures for the protection of consumers. Some of the legislative measures are as under:
(a) The Sale of Goods Act, 1930
(b) The Agriculture Produce (Grading and Marketing) Act, 1937
(c) The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1948
(d) The Drugs Control Act, 1950
(e) The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1953
(f) The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
(g) The Essential Commodities Act, 1953
(h) The Standard of Weights and Measures Act, 1956
(i) The Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958
(j) The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969
(k) The Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.
(l) The Consumer Protection Act, 1986
(m) The Indian Patents and Designs Act
(n) The Household Electrical Appliances (Quality control) Order, 1976.
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986
The Consumer Protection Act came into force on July 1, 1987. It provides enormous powers to consumers and consumer organisations against unscrupulous businessmen.
Objects
The Consumer Protection Act seeks to provide speedy and inexpensive redressal to the grievances of consumers. It is designed to protect the rights and interests of consumers.
Consumer Rights
The Act recognizes the following rights of consumers:
i. The right to be protected against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to life and property
ii. The right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumers against unfair trade practices.
iii. The right to have access to a variety of goods at competitive prices
iv. The right to be heard and to be assured that consumer interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums.
v. The right to consumer education
vi. The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.