World Consumer Rights Day: 15th March
Consumers International was founded in 1960 with the goal to fight for a fair, safe, and sustainable future for consumers in a global market dominated by international corporations. Consumer Rights include ideas such as the right to safety, the right to satisfaction of basic needs, the right to redress, and the right to be informed
The consumer movement marks 15th March with World Consumer Rights Day every year, as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. Celebrating the day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.
The day is observed to raise awareness about a consumer’s rights and needs so as to enable the consumer to fight against social injustices. The World Consumer Rights Day 2021 theme is to gather all the consumers in a fight to “Tackle Plastic Pollution“.
- 2021: Tackle Plastic Pollution
- 2020: The Sustainable Consumer
- 2019: Trusted Smart Products
- 2018: Making Digital Marketplaces Fairer
Most companies try to avoid negative consumer experiences, as it reflects poorly on their business. They know they will also lose customers as a result. In most countries, there are laws that help to protect the rights of consumers. These companies must abide by these laws.
Examples of consumer rights include the right to:
- have access to basic goods and services necessary for survival
- protect themselves from hazardous products or services
- information about products and services
- choose from a variety of quality products and services
- voice a complaint about a product or service
- consumer education and representation