What are the Rights of Consumer as per Consumer Protection Act

Rights of Consumer as per Consumer Protection Act

Consumers rights play an important role in their protection and safety. The concept of consumer's rights is comparatively a recent one. But, now acquired Universal recognition. Every consumer should be aware of his rights and duties and should use them in his daily life for his safety and protection.

The need to protect the interest of consumers has felt been long back. Even so, late president of U.S.A John. F. Kennedy, officially recognized the need and declared some of the rights of consumers. These rights were right to safety, right to information, right to choose and right to be heard. They were incorporated into the UNI charter of Human Rights. Later on, three more rights were added by International organization of Consumer union. They were right to redress, right to consumer education and to healthy environment.

Rights of consumer as per consumer protection act are explained below:

1. Right to Safety

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act indicates that customer must get protection against his life and health. The right to safety is against the selling of goods, which may create health problem or endanger the life of consumers. This is in relation to medicines, drugs, food and electrical goods.

As per right of consumer in consumer protection act the right to safety has been broadened to include the concern for consumers long-term interest. Consumer has the right to receive all assurances from the manufacturers about the quality, reliability and performance for the product. In the case of electrical appliances at a lot of security is required. The rights demand that inferior quality goods or defective products are not brought into the market at all.

2. Right to Choose

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act indicates that customers must be given full liberty to select that product which will satisfy his needs, i.e. he should be shown the variety of products from which he can make a selection. Right to choose aims at promoting competition and removing the monopoly.

As per right of consumer in consumer protection act every consumer has a right to select an article as per the requirement of his purchasing power. He should be given access to varieties of products. Manufacturers should not compel the consumers to purchase a particular product alone. Right to choose is important to the consumers as they can select the best article.

3. Right to be Heard

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act, this right requires that the consumers must be given an opportunity to express their views and suggestions regarding certain business policies like price fixation, quality standard, etc. Similarly; consumers must be given an opportunity to express their difficulties, complaints and grievances about the products they use. It is because of this right that some organizations keep ‘Complaint Book’ or ‘Suggestion Box’. This right gives psychological satisfaction to consumers. It also enables the manufacturers to rectify the manufacturing defects found in their products by the consumers.

4. Right to be Informed

As per right of consumer in consumer protection act the customers should be informed about price, quality, name of the manufacturer, instruction to use, manufacturing date, expiry date, etc. This information must be given on the packet or on the label of the product.

As per right of consumer in consumer protection act every consumer has a right to have such information from the manufacturer as well as from the retailer trader. This facilitates quick and correct decision-making by a consumer. He will not be exploited if complete information on the products is given to him. Manufacturers are expected to give full information to consumer through packing, labeling, and advertising. They must read, understand and use it with care.

5. Right to Redress

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act right to redress means the right to a fair settlement of just or reasonable claims of the consumer. For e.g. the consumer has the right to receive a proper amount of compensation or get the articles replaced or repaired for misrepresentation made by the manufacturer.

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act right to receive compensation for misrepresentation or supply of goods of inferior quality. It means that justice must be given to consumers in settlement of their claims. The right can be exercised by the consumers when the article does not give service as per the assurance given. In such a case, a fair compensation should be given to the consumers.

6. Right to Heathly Envirnoment

As per right of consumer in consumer protection act, consumers have a right to clean and healthy environment. It is necessary for business organizations to take all the needed measures to control air, water and noise pollution to provide consumers with a decent and good environment which is their basic right. This right acknowledges the need to protect and improve the environment for the present and future generations.

7. Right to Basic Need

As per right of consumer in consumer protection act every consumer has certain basic needs. Viz., food, shelter, clothing, etc. Every consumer has a right to these primary needs. These basic needs must be satisfied by the services rendered by business. Provision of fundamental needs makes the life of consumers easy and happy. They aspire for better quality of life once the essential needs are met. It is the responsibility of the government and the business community to use the available natural resources first for the production of goods and services, which satisfy the basic needs to the people.

8. Right to Consumer Education

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act, the consumer has been right to acquire the knowledge and skill. This right is important because consumer protection is impossible without proper education and guidance. Consumer education makes him alert, conscious and careful while buying the products.

As per right of consumer in the consumer protection act right is important as consumer protection is possible only through suitable consumer education and guidance. Such education is needed for the healthy growth of consumer movement throughout the country.