Question

List and describe consumer rights that have become social expectations of business.

Answer 1

The Six Basic Rights

While later expanded, the original six basic beliefs of consumer protection are the most widely recognized.
The Right to Be Safe
The Right to Choose Freely
The Right to Be Heard
The Right to Be Informed
The Right to Education
The Right to Service


CONSUMER RIGHTS AND ITS EXPANSION
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

India has been observing 15 March since 1989 as the National Consumers’ Day. This day has a historic importance as it was on this day in 1962, when theBill for Consumer Rights was moved in the US Congress. During his speech President John F. Kennedy had remarked:

“If a consumer is offered inferior products, if prices are exorbitant, if drugs are unsafe or worthless, if the consumer is unable to choose on an informedbasis, then his dollar is wasted, his health and safety may be threatened, and national interest suffers.”

John F. Kennedy had equated the rights of the ordinary American consumer with national interest. He gave the American consumer four basic rights:

1. The Right to Safety - to be protected against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to health or life.
2. The Right to Choose - to be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of products and services at competitive prices: and in those industrieswhere competition is not workable and Government regulation is substituted, an assurance of satisfactory quality and service at fair prices.
3. The Right to Information - to be protected against fraudulent, deceitful or grossly misleading information, advertising, labeling, or other practices,and to be given the facts s/he needs to make an informed choice.
4. The Right to be Heard - to be assured that consumer interests will receive full and sympathetic consideration in the formulation of Government policy,and fair and expeditious treatment in its administrative tribunals.