The root cause of consumer movement or consumerism is “consumer dissonance,” which means doubts and dissatisfaction about goods and services purchased. In the following article, you will know the need for consumer protection. Consumers are demanding from the company the safety of products, complete and accurate product information, a choice, and a redress. The growth of the consumer movement proves that businesses must do their duties honestly.
Need for Consumer Protection
In light of the above-discussed reasons for consumer protection, consumers need protection. The actual 5 needs for consumer protection arises as follows:
1. Physical Protection against Unsafe Products
Consumers need physical protection against unsafe products and services. These products and services harm consumers’ health, property, and well-being. It may be a bottle of water, a gas cylinder, a bottle of medicine, or a jar of wine. Therefore, there is a need for protecting the consumer.
2. Protection against Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices
Consumers need protection against deceptive and unfair trade practices followed by the business community. Today, the consumer is the victim of business malpractices and fraud. Thus, a manufacturer may cheat a needy buyer. A villager may be supplied with outdated medicine by a pharmacy. Therefore, there is a need to protect the consumer interest against these practices.
3. Protection against Evils of Monopoly and Restrictive Trade Practices
Consumers need protection against the abuse of monopoly and restrictive trade practices. Everyone knows that monopoly is a source of consumer exploitation in terms of higher prices and lowering the quality standards. This is because monopolists can control quantity and, therefore, cost and quality and it needs consumer protection.
4. Protection against Non-commitment of Sellers
Consumers need protection against deaf-ear non-commitment of sellers. In most cases, the receipt as documentary proof clarifies that the goods, once sold, will not be taken back. If the goods are not up to the specification, they are to be accepted back, and due adjustment is shown in the receipt. Unfortunately, many greedy sellers pass on defective goods under this clause and cheat the consumers for faults of theirs. Therefore, consumers need protection.
5. Protection against Pollution
Consumers need protection against pollution of all kinds. The producers use raw materials for making much-needed products. This process results in ecological and environmental imbalances. These imbalances affect the health and property of consumers through air, water, food, and sound pollution. Thus, chemical factories and fertilizer plants have been known for air and water pollution.
6. Protection against Contaminated Underground Water
Consumers need protection against contaminated underground water. The pesticides used in agriculture fields are contaminating the underground water. It need for consumer protection. Soft drinks and bottled water contain pesticide residue in dangerous proportions, which might cause cancer to the consumers.
7. Protection against Food Adulteration
Consumers need protection against food adulteration. However, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act came into existence fifty years ago to safeguard the life and health of consumers. But there is no sign of control on food adulteration during the five decades. Reports indicate that thousands of people have lost their lives, and millions were severely affected in health due to food adulteration. Therefore, there is a need for consumer protection.