Rights and responsibilities of a Consumer Flashcards
Rights of a consumer
Right to safety
Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also fulfil long term interests. Before purchasing, consumers should insist on the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services. They should preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI,AGMARK, etc
Right to choose
Means right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price. It also includes right to basic goods and services. This is because unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean a denial for the majority of its fair share. This right can be better exercised in a competitive market where a variety of goods are available at competitive prices
Right to be informed
Means right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. Consumer should insist on getting all the information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This will enable him to act wisely and responsibly and also enable him to desist from falling prey to high pressure selling techniques.
Right to consumer education
Means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved with success.
Right to be heard
Means that consumer’s interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer’s welfare. The Consumers should form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations which can be given representation in various committees formed by the Government and other bodies in matters relating to consumers.
Right to Seek redressal
Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer. Consumers must make complaint for their genuine grievances. Many a times their complaint may be of small value but its impact on the society as a whole may be very large. They can also take the help of consumer organisations in seeking redressal of their grievances.
Responsibilities of a consumer
Be Critically Aware
The responsibility to be more alert and to question more – about prices, about quantity and quality of goods bought and services used.
Be Involved
The responsibility to be assertive – to ensure that you get a fair deal as a consumer. Remember, if you are passive, you are likely to be exploited.
Be Organized
The responsibility to join hands and raise voices as consumers; to fight in a collective and to develop the strength and influence to promote and protect consumer interest.
Practice Sustainable Consumption
The responsibility to be aware of the impact of your consumption on other citizens, especially the disadvantaged or powerless groups; and to consume based on needs – not wants.
Be Responsible to the Environment
The responsibility to be aware and to understand the environmental consequences of our consumption. We should recognize our individual and social responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect the earth for future generations.
Consumer Protection Act
An Act to provide for the promotion and protection of consumer interest, in relation to the supply of goods and the provision of services in order to ensure protection of life, health and safety of consumers and others, the establishment of a Consumer Affairs Commission and for connected purposes.
Consumer Protection Agencies in Jamaica
The Consumer Affairs Commission
The Fair Trade Commission
Office of Utilities and Regulation
National Consumer League
The Consumer Affairs Commission
Established in 1990 to succeed the Price Commission founded in 1970, The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is a government agency established to inform, educate and empower consumers to protect themselves in the marketplace， an Agency of the Government of Jamaica is dedicated to protecting the interests of consumers. This is achieved through: Consumer Education Programmes; Complaints Resolution Service; Corporate Services and Affiliations. It sees it its mission to ‘enlighten the Jamaican consumer through education so that he/she can cope in a changing global environment’. The CAC is easily accessible with offices in Kingston and Montego Bay.
The work of the Commission is three pronged:
engaging in market research, providing complaint resolution services and run a vibrant consumer education programme. All the services provided by the Commission are free as the organization is fully funded by Government.
The CAC operates under the Trade Act of 1955 and the Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
Key Responsibilities of the Consumer Affairs Unit
Our responsibilities as a consumer protection body extend beyond the investigative and adjudicative phases. We have strived to become a proactive organization that can create an impact on the behavioral pattern of both consumers and suppliers. In furthering our objectives, the unit’s key responsibilities are inclusive of:
Investigating consumer complaints with respect to violations of the Consumer Affairs Act.
Assisting in the development of an informed, responsible and discerning consuming public.
Monitoring the legislative environment to ensure effective safeguard of consumer rights.
Creating a climate for understanding the role of Government in protecting consumer interests.
Promoting and ensuring compliance with quality standards for consumer goods and services.
Providing the enabling environment and institutional support that would create avenues for consumer education and redress.
Adopting code of ethics, which relate to consumer practices.
Constantly conducting outreach programs and campaigns, which also includes collecting, collating and disseminating information on matters affecting the interests of consumers.
Product Safety and Recalls
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