Empowering Consumers, Ensuring Fair Practices

Consumer
Rights .

Darshiga S
10 AQ
Introduction To Consumer
Rights
"Consumer Rights”, by definition, is the
right of a consumer to have adequate
information regarding the quality, quantity,
potency, purity, price, and standard of the
commodity they are using and that they are
protected against any malpractices as a
consumer.

The following are the fundamental

consumer rights of an individual in India:

Right To Safety
Right To Be Informed
Right To Choose
Right To Be Heard
Right To Seek Redressal
Right To Consumer Education
2
Who Are Consumers ?
A consumer is a person or a group who
intends to order, or use purchased goods,
products, or services primarily for personal,
social, family, household and similar needs,
who is not directly related to entrepreneurial
or business activities. The term most
commonly refers to a person who purchases
goods and services for personal use.

Difference Between Consumer & Customer

Customer is someone who purchases goods

or services from a business, while a
consumer is the end-user of those goods or
services. In other words, a customer is the
one who buys the product, and the consumer
is the one who uses or consumes it.

3
Role Of A Consumer In the Economy

Drives Demand: Consumers create demand

for goods and services, which motivates
producers to make and sell products.

Influences Production: Consumer choices

and spending patterns signal producers
about what to produce and in what
quantity.

Determines Market Prices: Through their

purchasing decisions, consumers help set
prices in the market by indicating what they
are willing to pay.

Supports Economic Growth: Consumer

spending is a major component of a
country’s GDP and is essential for overall
economic

4
How Are Consumers
Exploited In The Market ?
Consumers are exploited in the marketplace
through various means, including false
advertising, deceptive pricing, adulterated
goods, sub-standard quality, and deceptive
billing practices. Additionally, misleading
information, high prices, and artificial
scarcity can also contribute to consumer
exploitation.

Here's a more detailed look at how

consumers are exploited:

1. Underweight And Under Measurement :

Sellers may give less quantity than

promised, cheating consumers on weight
or volume.
5
2. Adulteration :

Mixing inferior or harmful substances in

products, especially food, which can cause
health risks and monetary loss.

3. Sub-Standard Or Defective Goods :

Selling goods of poor quality, expired

products, or items that do not meet safety
standards.

4. High Prices And Overcharging :

Charging more than the actual or maximum

retail price, especially when consumers
have no alternative.

6
5. Duplicate And Fake Items :

Selling counterfeit products as genuine

brands, making it hard for consumers to
distinguish real from fake.

6. False Or Misleading Information :

Using deceptive advertisements or

incomplete information to mislead
consumers about the quality, quantity, or
benefits of products.

7. Blackmarketing And Hoarding :

Creating artificial shortages by

stockpiling essential goods, leading to
inflated prices.

7
8. Additional Hidden Charges :

Adding extra charges not mentioned

before the purchase.

9. Lack Of After-Sales Service :

Not providing promised support or

service after the sale, leaving consumers
with unresolved issues.

10. Limited Consumer Awareness :

Many consumers lack information about

their rights, product details, or complaint
procedures, making them more vulnerable
to exploitation.

8
Consumer Protection
(COPRA)

The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 is

a law in India that safeguards
consumers' interests. It establishes
consumer rights and provides a
framework for redressal of consumer
grievances by establishing consumer
courts and forums at national, state,
and district levels. This act addresses
unfair trade practices, defects in goods,
and service deficiencies.

9
Significance Of COPRA :

Protects consumers from defective goods,

poor services, and unfair trade practices.

Guarantees consumer rights like safety,

information, choice, being heard, and
redressal.

Established a three-tier system of

consumer courts (district, state, national)
for quick and easy dispute resolution.

Simplifies the process of filing complaints

—no lawyer needed, more affordable, and
accessible to all.

Promotes consumer awareness and

encourages consumers to stand up for
their rights.
10
Provisions Of COPRA
Consumer Rights : The Act guarantees rights
such as the right to safety, right to information,
right to choose, right to be heard, and right to
seek redressal for grievances

Consumer Courts : It established a three-tier

system of consumer courts at the district, state,
and national levels for quick and affordable
resolution of consumer disputes

Protection Against Unfair Practices : The Act

protects consumers from unfair trade
practices, defective goods, and deficient
services

Simple Complaint Process : Consumers can

file complaints easily, often without needing a
lawyer, and are entitled to compensation or
other remedies if their complaint is justified.
11
Consumer Rights
Consumer rights are the legal protections and
freedoms granted to individuals as consumers
to ensure they are treated fairly and not
exploited by businesses. These rights aim to
safeguard consumers from unsafe products,
deceptive practices, and unfair trade,
ultimately promoting consumer awareness
and empowerment.

Consumer Rights In India Include

Right To Safety
Right To Be Informed
Right To Choose
Right To Be Heard
Right To Seek Redressal
Right To Consumer Education

12
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

13
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.

14
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

15
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.

16
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 [Link] 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.

17
Right To Consumer Education

Consumers should be aware of their rights

and [Link] should have
access to information about products,
services, and market [Link] empowers
people to protect themselves from unfair
trade practices and [Link]
consumers are less likely to be cheated or
[Link] encourages responsible consumer
behavior and helps create a fair
[Link] summary, the right to
consumer education ensures that everyone
can make smart, safe, and informed
decisions as buyers

18
Ways To Protect Consumers :

Consumer Courts : COPRA set up a three-tier

system of consumer courts (district, state,
national) to quickly and affordably resolve
consumer complaints.

Defined Consumer Rights : The Act

guarantees rights like safety, information,
choice, being heard, and redressal,
empowering consumers to stand up against
unfair practices.

Protection Against Unfair Practices : It

protects consumers from defective goods,
deficient services, and unethical business
practices by holding sellers and service .

19
Simple Complaint Process: Consumers can
file complaints easily, often without a
lawyer, making justice accessible and cost-
effective.

Compensation and Remedies: The Act

provides for compensation, replacement,
refund, or repair if a consumer suffers loss
or injury due to faulty goods or services.

Penalties for Violators: Businesses

violating consumer rights can face
penalties, fines, or even imprisonment,
ensuring compliance with fair practices.

Consumer Councils: COPRA established

consumer councils at central, state, and
district levels to promote consumer
awareness and guide consumers

20
Consumer Responsibilities
Be Aware: Understand the quality, safety, and
details of products and services before
purchasing.

Think Independently: Make informed and

independent choices based on your needs,
not just advertisements.

Speak Out: Raise your voice against unfair

practices and express your grievances clearly.

File Complaints: Report dissatisfaction or

issues with goods and services in a sincere
and fair manner.

Be Ethical: Avoid engaging in dishonest or

deceptive practices as a consumer.

Help Others: Support other consumers and

promote awareness about consumer rights
and responsibilities. 21
Bibliography

Perplexity ai

Chatgpt

Google

Meta ai

Your time is valuable—just like your rights.

Thanks for investing both in this portfolio

22