Know Your Consumer Rights

 

Below are the eight basic consumer rights as defined by Consumers International (2011) and adopted by Bangladesh’s Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. The perception or understanding of these rights by consumers is referred to as consumer awareness.

  1. The first right concerns basic requirements. This right ensures that consumers have access to basic goods and services at reasonable prices and of high quality. To live a decent life, one must have enough food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water, and sanitation.
  2. The second right concerns security. This right ensures that consumers are protected from the marketing of goods that are harmful to their health and lives. Consumers can rest assured that consumer product manufacturers put their products through extensive safety and performance testing before releasing them on the market.
  3. The right to information is the third. Consumers have the right to be protected from deceptive or misleading advertising or labeling, as well as the right to be given the facts and information they need to make an informed decision. Consumers have the right to adequate product information on which to base their purchasing decisions. Product specifications, origin, safety warnings, price, mode of payment, date of quality assurance, description of after-sale services, warranty, ingredient, nutritional facts, and other information are provided to consumers.
  4. The right to choose is the fourth. This refers to the right to select products and services at reasonable prices that are of acceptable quality. Consumers expect a diverse range of goods and services to be available on the market, with different brands, sizes, shapes, colors, and price, quality, and use.
  5. The fifth is the right to representation. The right to be heard is another name for the right to representation. This is the right of consumers to participate in the formulation and implementation of government policies that affect the supply of goods and services to consumers.
  6. The right to redress is the sixth. Consumers have the right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods, or poor service. Consumers can expect the seller or dealer to replace defective goods or refund their money under this right. Consumers can also seek legal redress in the appropriate courts.
  7. Consumer education is the subject of the seventh right. This is the right to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to be an informed consumer. Consumers can expect the three sectors of society, business, government, and consumers, to launch a tri-media information campaign on consumer-related issues, as well as a series of seminars, conferences, training, and public hearings to promote consumer welfare.
  8. Finally, the eighth right is about maintaining a healthy environment. These right guarantees consumers the right to live and work in a safe and secure environment that allows them to live a dignified and happy life.