Types of Consumer Rights (3 pages)Right to safetyRight to informationRight to choiceRight to be heardRight to redressRight to consumer education

Consumer rights are the rights given to a "consumer" to protect him/her from being cheated by salesman/manufacturer. Consumer protection laws are designed to ensure fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional protection for the weak and those unable to take care of themselves. Here are the types of consumer rights:

1. Right to Safety: This is the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property. This right is important for safe and secure living.

2. Right to Information: This is the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, as the case may be so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices.

3. Right to Choice: This is the right to be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices. In case of monopolies, it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.

4. Right to be Heard: This is the right to be heard and to be assured 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.

5. Right to Redress: This is the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer.

6. Right to Consumer Education: This is the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved with success.