Consumer awareness

Consumer rights

Ruta Bhide 10 - A

''A brand is nothing but an expression of the customer's loyalty and trust."

- Phil Dusenberry.

INDEX

01. Interview

05.Consumer protection

09. Organizations

10.Consumer awarness

06. Features of consumer movement

02. History

07.Reasons for consumer movement

03. Rights and duties

11. Bibliography

08. Articles

12. Conclusion

04. Consumer movement

01.Interview

02.Consumer Rights history

• When we think of consumer rights, we often think of modern laws and regulations that protect us from fraud, false advertising, and other forms of exploitation. However, the concept of consumer rights has been around for much longer than we might imagine. In fact, throughout history, people have been fighting for fair treatment and protection against unscrupulous merchants and traders.
• In many cultures, there were established customs and traditions that governed trade and commerce, and these often included provisions for consumer protection.
• One of the earliest examples of consumer protection comes from ancient Babylon, where the Code of Hammurabi, written around 1750 BCE, included laws regulating the sale of goods and services. These laws set standards for the quality of goods and established penalties for merchants who cheated their customers.

• Similarly there were laws for consumer protection in ancient Greece and Rome.Despite these early examples of consumer protection, it is important to note that they were not universal or consistent across cultures. In many cases, consumer rights were limited to certain classes or groups of people, and there were often loopholes and exceptions that allowed unscrupulous merchants to exploit their customers.

• So therefore before the 1960's, consumer rights were not strictly practiced. Fortunately, the rapid nature of consumerism created a wave of legislation and policy. Below is a timeline of consumer rights and how they have impacted the U.S. marketplace.

03.Consumer's Rights and Duties

Before knowing the rights and duties,first we should know who are consumers.Consumers are identified as-“A person who buys goods and services for their own use”.

In 1962, President Kennedy spoke to the U.S. Congress about the need for a new consumer movement, a call to action that resulted in the Consumer Bill of Rights. His speech stressed protecting the consumer’s interest. Kennedy also spoke about the four basic rights of the consumer, namely: Right to Safety Right to be informed Right to be heard Right to choose His discussion sparked a deliberation and subsequent legislation to protect consumers. 15th March is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day, taking inspiration from John Kennedy.While this Bill of Rights provided groundbreaking protection, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission continued to establish new laws to protect consumer credit rights.In 1985, the concept of consumer rights was endorsed by the United Nations through the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, which expands them to include eight basic rights. The four added consumer rights were; Right to representation Right to seek redressal Right to healthy environment Right to consumer education

03.Consumers Rights and Duties

In the way that the government has given each and every consumer a set of rights, it is the responsibility of the consumer to also follow through on several duties provided to them. Consumer responsibilities are just as important as consumer rights. The responsibilities or the duties of consumers are :

Responsibility to be aware – A consumer has to be mindful of the safety and quality of products and services before purchasing. Responsibility to think independently– Consumer should be well concerned about what they want and need and therefore make independent choices. Responsibility to speak out- Buyer should be fearless to speak out their grievances and tell traders what they exactly want Responsibility to complain- It is the consumer’s responsibility to express and file a complaint about their dissatisfaction with goods or services in a sincere and fair manner. Responsibility to be an Ethical Consumer- They should be fair and not engage themselves with any deceptive practice.

03.Consumers Rights and Duties

The consumer protection bill 2019 primarily defines the following consumer rights.

• Be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property.
• Be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and services.
• Be assured of access to a variety of goods or services at competitive prices.
• Seek redressal against unfair and restrictive trade practices.

04.Consumer movements in the modern period

• Consumer movement, in its present form in India, came into being only in the 1960's with the formation of Consumer Guidance Society of India in 1966 in Bombay. With its success, the consumer movement spread over to fight for availability, purity and standard prices of commodities.
• Consumer Movement gave rise to the Consumer Protection Act (1986) which brings the following major objectives:

1.Understand the development between cooperative societies and consumerism. 2.Appreciate the consumers and bring awareness. 3.Protect the consumers by appointing proper authorities for timely settlement. 4.Protect against hazardous products to life and property. 5.Seek redressal against the unfair practices. 6.Lays down penalties for offences committed under the Act.

• The first consumer movement began in Denmark in 1947 and later in 1953 in Great Britain.
• Consumer Movement in Europe was fostered by the Consumer Union which led to great success in Europe. The movement began after the Second World War when there was an increase in aggressive selling, fraud and breach of promise. The British National Standard Institute established in the United Kingdom played a significant role in arousing the interest of the consumers in 1925.

04.Consumer movements in the modern period

• Ralph Nader is considered the father of the modern consumer movement.
• The Parliament introduced the Consumer Protection dated 2019 to replace the prior Act of 1986 to enhance protection for the consumers in the e-business platform. The Act encourages to protect the interest of consumers from unfair trade practices and tasks to inquire and take action against any violations. The new Act expands the meaning for consumers and the fair business activities followed under the regulations.
• The consumer is the center of all business activities. In modern days, it is said that the consumer is the king of the market. Business activities are carried out to satisfy, the wants of consumers. A commercial organization totally depends on the customer not only for its survival but also for its growth. At present customer is given top most importance and every attempt is made to satisfy the customer.
• But in reality,customers/consumers are still un-organized and have no idea about their basic rights of safety, right to choose, right to be heard, etc.
• So therefore,Consumer movement is similar to trade unions because it is a collective approach to solve the malpractices and injustice done by any organization.

05.Consumer Protection Act

• The Consumer Protection Act, implemented in 1986, gives easy and fast compensation to consumer grievances. It safeguards and encourages consumers to speak against insufficiency and flaws in goods and services. If traders and manufacturers practice any illegal trade, this act protects their rights as a consumer.
• Protection Act covers all goods and services of all public, private, or cooperative sectors, except those exempted by the central government.
• The act provides a platform for a consumer where they can file their complaint, and the forum takes action against the concerned supplier and compensation is granted to the consumer for the hassle he/she has encountered.

05.Consumer protection Act

• The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (COPRA) was an Act by the Parliament of India elected to protect the interests of consumers in India. It was replaced by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. It was made for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumer's grievances and matters connected with it.
• COPRA, gives easy and fast compensation to consumer grievances. It safeguards and encourages consumers to speak against insufficiency and flaws in goods and services. If traders and manufacturers practice any illegal trade, this act protects their rights as a consumer. The primary motivation of this forum is to bestow aid to both the parties and eliminate lengthy lawsuits.
• This Protection Act covers all goods and services of all public, private, or cooperative sectors, except those exempted by the central government.
• The Consumer Protection Act , 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha as a replacement of Copra 1986 on 8 July 2019.
• The Consumer Protection Act , 2019, which came into force from July 20, 2020, has brought in a new regulatory framework for e-commerce in the country, requiring online platforms to display the country of origin of items sold, apart from new rules that will enforce product liability for the first time.

06.FEATURES OF CONSUMER MOVEMENT

• The consumer movement is a social movement that emerged in the 1960s in order to advocate for the rights of consumers. It has since then become an important force in shaping the business practices of companies and the policies of governments.
• One of the primary features of the consumer movement is its focus on consumer rights.
• The movement advocates for these rights to be protected by government regulations and for businesses to be held accountable for any violations of these rights.
• This has led to the development of consumer protection laws and agencies, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the United States.
• Another feature of the consumer movement is its emphasis on consumer education. The movement believes that consumers should be informed and educated about their rights and the products and services they purchase.
• This has led to the creation of consumer education programs and campaigns that provide information on topics such as product safety, environmental impact, and consumer fraud.
• In addition, the movement has encouraged the development of consumer advocacy organizations that provide support and guidance to consumers.

06.FEATURES OF CONSUMER MOVEMENT

• ''Consumerism'' is the propensity to consume and keep consuming.
• The consumer movement also places a strong emphasis on consumer activism. This involves consumers taking action to hold businesses and governments accountable for their actions. This can include boycotts, demonstrations, and other forms of activism that put pressure on companies and governments to change their practices.
• Consumer movement has also had a significant impact on the way that companies approach marketing and advertising. The movement has encouraged businesses to be more transparent in their advertising and to avoid making false or misleading claims.
• The consumer movement is a powerful force that has had a significant impact on the way that businesses and governments approach consumer issues.
• As consumers become increasingly aware of their rights and the impact of their purchasing decisions, the consumer movement is likely to continue to grow in importance and influence.

07.REasons for consumer movement in india

• Another reason for the consumer movement in India is the rise of social media and digital platforms. With the advent of the internet, consumers have access to a wealth of information about products and services.
• This means that they can read reviews and ratings from other consumers, compare prices, and even interact with companies directly.
• The consumer movement in India has also been driven by the increasing affluence of the middle class. As more people have disposable income, they are more likely to demand high-quality products and services.
• The consumer movement in India has had a significant impact on the country's economic and social landscape. Companies that fail to meet consumer expectations are more likely to fail in the marketplace, which has led to increased competition and innovation.
• In conclusion, As India continues to grow and develop, the consumer movement will continue to play a vital role in shaping its future.

07.Factors which stimulated the consumer movements

• The rise of consumer movements was not a sudden development, but rather a culmination of various factors that stimulated their growth.
• One factor that stimulated the consumer movements was the growth of industrialization. The industrial revolution led to the mass production of goods, which meant that manufacturers could produce goods at a lower cost. However, this came at the expense of quality, as manufacturers focused on producing goods quickly and cheaply. As a result, consumers became aware of the need to protect their interests and started to demand better quality goods and services.
• Another factor that stimulated the consumer movements was the growth of the mass media. The mass media provided consumers with a platform to voice their concerns and grievances, which in turn led to increased awareness and an informed consumer base. It also played a significant role in exposing the unethical practices of corporations and pressure on companies to act ethically.
• The globalization of markets led to increased competition, which in turn led to increased pressure on companies to produce goods and services that met the needs and expectations of consumers.
• Globalization also created a platform for consumers to voice their concerns on a global scale, leading to increased pressure on the companies.

09.Important consumer organization

• Consumer organizations are the focused group that seek to protect people from the corporate abuse led by the business owners - like unsafe products, predatory lending, false advertising and pollution to the environment.
• They have a significant impact on society as a whole, promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness. As consumers, we should support these organizations and take advantage of the resources and services they provide, in order to make informed decisions and protect our own interests.
• They are important because they help to level the playing field between consumers and businesses.
• Consumer organisations are playing a dominating role in engaging the consumers to lift their voice against exploitation by the business individual who sells inferior and faulty products.
• In India, there are also many Consumer Organizations working for the cause of customers getting abused by manufacturers or service providers.

09.Important consumer organization

• Various consumer organizations-

PATRA - Passengers & traffic relief association ,was set up in 1915 to to mitigate the hardship and trouble faced by the passengers travelling through railway and steamers. WGU - Women Graduate Union ,a non governmental organization, is an association of educated, forward looking women that works towards the betterment of women and the upliftment of the society as a whole. VCC - Virtual credit card , are digital cards that are available online and don't have a physical form. Customers can use them to carry out online transactions. CGSI - Consumer Guidance Society of India , is a Non-Profit consumer organization established in India in 1966 to protect and educate the Indian consumer about sub-standard products and services, adulterated foods, short weights and measures, hazardous drugs, exorbitant prices, endemic shortages leading to black marketing and profiteering, unfulfilled manufacture guarantees,etc. TUCS - Triplicane urban co operative store , It was the first consumer cooperative society in India. It is the pioneer in the consumer Cooperative movement in India.

09.Important consumer organization

Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat - It was established in Pune in 1974. The basic objective of this organization is to make the customer aware of his rights and to provide him good quality, right size, after sales service and good behavior at a reasonable price. The biggest achievement of this organization has been the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Consumer Guidance Society of India - Organisation was made by the President in 1990 as Madhya Pradesh cooking gas upbhokta sangathan but in1996 to make movement of sangathan countrywide name of sangathn was changed and the newname was ALL INDIA CONSUMER PROTECTION ORGANISATION.In Present sangathan is working in 12 states in India. The Consumers Eye India - The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) is a Non-Profit consumer organization established in India in 1966. Bureau Of Indian Standards- BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization. The Product Certification Schemes of BIS aims at providing Third Party assurance of quality, safety and reliability of products to the customer. United India Consumer's Association- Consumers Association of India (CAI) is a membership-based organisation with 8,000 registered members all over India. Its main objectives are: spreading consumer awareness; empowering consumers and teaching them their responsibilities and rights as consumers.

10.Consumer awareness

• The Jago Grahak Jago movement is one of the most significant consumer awareness campaigns in India. It was launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities.
• The movement aimed to empower consumers by educating them about their rights and responsibilities and to encourage businesses to adopt ethical practices.
• The campaign used various media channels such as TV, radio, print, and social media to reach out to consumers across India.
• The campaign educated consumers about the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and the various consumer forums where they could seek redressal for grievances.
• It also informed consumers about the importance of checking the quality of goods and services before making a purchase and how to file complaints in case of defects.
• The Jago Grahak Jago movement has made significant achievements since its launch.
• It has also encouraged businesses to adopt ethical practices and provide quality goods and services to consumers.
• The movement has helped in strengthening the consumer protection laws in India and has led to the establishment of more consumer forums across the country.
• The Jago Grahak Jago movement has also been recognized internationally for its effectiveness in consumer awareness.
• It is crucial for the government to continue to support such campaigns to ensure that consumers are aware of their rights and that businesses provide quality goods and services.

11.Bibliography

• https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/economy/history-consumer-rights-improvements
• https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/consumer
• https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/consumer
• https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection
• https://byjus.com/question-answer/what-are-the-8-basic-rights-of-the-consumers/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_movement
• https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/acts-and-rules/consumer-protection
• https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lok-sabha-passes-consumer-protection-bill-to-enforce-consumer-rights-1575209-2019-07-30
• http://articles-junction.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-is-consumer-movement-meaning.html
• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/consumerism.asp
• https://byjus.com/question-answer/describe-the-evolution-of-consumer-movement-in-india/
• https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-2766-consumer-movement-in-india-issues-approaches-and-achievements.html
• https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/80693/1/Unit-8.pdf
• https://hi-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A4?_x_tr_sl=hi&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
• https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Consumer_Guidance_Society_of_India_Mumbai.pdf
• https://trai.gov.in/hi/consumer-info/list-of-registered-consumer-groups?page=1
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jago_Grahak_Jago

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Author's Name

10.Consumer awareness

12.Conclusions

• Consumer awareness refers to the ability of individuals to make informed decisions regarding the products or services they purchase.
• Consumer rights are a critical component of modern society.
• They protect consumers from harm, promote fair competition, and safeguard vulnerable groups.
• The enforcement of consumer rights through government regulation, industry self-regulation, and consumer activism is crucial to ensuring that businesses operate ethically and fairly.
• With adequate awareness, individuals can make informed choices, avoid fraudulent products, and promote sustainable living practices.
• To promote consumer awareness, several organizations offer consumer education and advocacy services.
• Therefore, it is essential for consumers to be aware of their rights and to advocate for them whenever necessary.Also, it is crucial for individuals to take advantage of consumer education and advocacy services to promote consumer awareness.

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