Consumers International - Consumer Bill of Rights

Consumer Bill of Rights

On 15 March 1962 former US President John F. Kennedy said:

Consumers by definition include us all. They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group… whose views are often not heard.

There are eight basic consumer rights which include the rights to:

• satisfaction of basic needs – to have access to basic, essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation
• safety – to be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardous to health or life
• information – to be given the facts needed to make an informed choice, and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labelling.
• choice – to be able to select from a range of products and services, offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality
• be heard – to have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy, and in the development of products and services.
• redress – to receive a fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
• consumer education – to acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about goods and services, while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them.
• a healthy environment -to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well being of present and future generations.