Consumer rights provide protection against defective products.
Consumer rights are those guarantees and safeguards available to those who buy a product or use a service . These are powers that these people have within the framework of the link they establish with the seller or supplier.
Rights and obligations arise from this consumer relationship, which are regulated and regulated by specific regulations in each legislation . It is also common for the State to have consumer protection agencies that receive claims and complaints and assist in the search for answers to resolve conflicts between the parties.
What are consumer rights?
Consumer rights apply in different areas and areas. They have to do with the quality of the products , the conditions of the services and the characteristics of advertising , for example. The purpose is to avoid abusive behavior by companies and force them to comply with standards, requirements and consumer regulations.
These rights , therefore, provide protection to the consumer against possible adulteration and fraud and against goods or benefits that may harm health. The aim is to ensure that consumers do not suffer harm when satisfying their needs with the acquisition of goods or services .
Ensuring fair business practices is one of the goals of consumer rights.
Your story
The history of consumer rights dates back to the end of the 19th century , when associative movements began to emerge. The New York Consumers League , for example, was founded in 1891 . However, it must be said that the protection of the weak party of a contract is already present in Roman law.
The formalization of these rights and their reflection in norms and laws only began to be carried out in the 1960s . England , for example, enacted its "Consumer Protection Act" in 1961 , followed by Germany with similar legislation in 1965 .
In 1983 , the United Nations (UN) declared March 15 as World Consumer Rights Day , in commemoration of a speech given by US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy on the importance of consumers . Two years later, Resolution 39/248 approved by the UN General Assembly established the “Guidelines for Consumer Protection” .
The 1985 text refers to quality and safety standards; safeguarding the economic interests of buyers and users; measures to compensate harmed consumers; and informative and educational actions. In 2015 , these guidelines were expanded and updated with Resolution 70/186 , aimed at trade practices.
Consumer rights associations often carry out awareness campaigns.
Features of consumer rights
The concept of consumer rights includes both guarantees for clients and users and obligations for companies . As we already indicated, the purpose is to regulate the consumption relationship.
In the case of guarantees, consumers are protected from risks that may affect their safety or health and their social and economic interests are safeguarded. It also includes repairing damages and providing clear and detailed information about services and goods.
Merchants and businessmen, for their part, must provide all the necessary information so that consumers can carry out operations according to their needs and interests. They also have to have return policies in line with what is established by law, guaranteeing products against failures.
Product labeling should be simple and not misleading. Misleading advertising is punishable, as is unfair competition between sellers.
Sellers and service providers, on the other hand, are required to provide a purchase receipt . This document functions as proof of the operation and is essential for the exercise of rights and the claim against the Consumer Defense Office .
It should be noted that these rights are inalienable . This means that they are inherent to the consumption relationship and no consumer can be forced to do without them.
The importance of partnerships
Consumer associations are part of civil society . They are not part of the state sphere, but they complement the work carried out by the authorities to defend people's rights.
Typically, these associations have a direct link with those responsible for public secretariats and offices that have influence in consumer relations. This way they can work in a joint and coordinated way.
An association or union of this type usually promotes the right to information and works for consumer education . It also provides assistance in administrative processes and legal claims and seeks to prevent consumer fraud.
The Association for the Defense of Consumers and Users of Argentina ( ADECUA ) is an example of these entities. It was founded in 1995 , is non-profit and is mainly dedicated to ensuring compliance with the regulations that provide protection to consumers and users in Argentine territory.
In Spain , in turn, there is the Organization of Consumers and Users ( OCU ). It is a private association that was born in 1975 , whose operation is framed in the Associations Law . Among its milestones is the creation, in 1980 , of the first independent Spanish magazine focused on comparative analyzes of products and services.