World Consumer Rights Day 2023: History, significance and theme

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• Mar 15, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

The primary goal of World Consumer Rights Day is to ensure that consumers are not subjected to market exploitation or injustice that jeopardizes their rights. 

Digital Desk: World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15 every year with an aim to raise global awareness about consumer rights and promote consumer protection. The day is also observed to raise awareness of global market injustices. It is an annual event that celebrates the international consumer movement's solidarity.

On this day, people all over the world rally in support of all consumers' fundamental rights, demanding that those rights be protected and respected while also condemning market injustices.

History:

The day was first observed on March 15, 1983, and was inspired by US President John F. Kennedy's March 15, 1962, address to the US Congress. He addressed the issue of consumer rights and emphasized their importance, becoming the first world leader to do so. Every year on this day, organizations such as Consumer International mark the occasion by holding events and campaigns to protect consumer rights.

Significance:

The primary goal of World Consumer Rights Day is to ensure that consumers are not subjected to market exploitation or injustice that jeopardizes their rights. Consumers are aware of their rights and how to apply them in their daily lives.

Theme:

This year the theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is "Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions." It aims to raise awareness of consumer empowerment and their role to push for a faster clean energy transition.

Consumer International, the organisation for consumer groups around the world said, "Amidst the greatest cost-of-living crisis in a generation and as the energy world drastically responds to supply and climate issues, we have a core role to play in delivering 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 the consumers. The act focuses on the establishment of consumer councils, forums and appellate courts for the settlement of consumer's grievances.

The act embeds the following rights:

1. Right to be heard at an appropriate forum

2. Right to seek redressal in case of unfair trade practices

3. Right to consumer education

4. Right to goods and services at competitive prices

5. Right to be informed about the quality, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and services

6. Right to be protected against wrong marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to the life and property