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Consumer Rights
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Following eight consumer rights are based on UN Guidelines for Consumers Protection 1985 (expanded in 1999) and
Consumers International charter of consumers’ rights. Consumers International is an umbrella body of more than 250
consumer organizations form 115 countries.
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The Right to Basic Needs means the right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival. It includes
adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and sanitation.
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The Right to Safety means the right to be protected against products, production processes and services
which are hazardous to health or life. It includes concern for consumer long-term interests as well as their
immediate requirements.
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The Right to Be Informed means the right to be given the facts needed to make an informed choice or
decision. Consumers must be provided with adequate information enabling them to act wisely and responsibly.
They must also be protected from misleading or inaccurate publicity material, whether included in advertising,
labeling, packaging or by any other means.
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The Right to Choose means the right to have access to a variety of products and services at competitive
prices and, in the case of monopolies, to have an assurance of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.
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The Right to Be Heard means the right to advocate consumers’ interests with a view to their receiving full
and sympathetic consideration in the formulation and execution of economic and other policies. It includes the
right of representation in government and other policy-making bodies as well as in the development of products
and services before they are produced or set up.
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The Right of Redress means the right to a fair settlement of just claims. It includes the right to receive
compensation for misrepresentation of shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services and the availability of acceptable
forms of legal aid or redress for small claims where necessary.
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The Right to Consumer Education means the right to acquire to knowledge and skills to be an informed
consumer throughout life. The right to consumer education incorporates the right to the knowledge and skills
needed for taking action to influence factors affecting decisions.
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The Right to a Healthy Environment means the right to a physical environment that will enhance quality of
life. It includes protection against environmental dangers over which the individual has no control. It
acknowledges the need to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.
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