World Consumers Rights Day (WCRD) is annually observed across the globe on 15 March to raise global awareness of consumer rights, needs, protection, and empowerment.
The 2024 theme of WCRD is, ‘Fair and responsible AI for consumers’.
- The campaign emphasises safeguarding consumer search in the era of generative AI.
WCRD is annually coordinated by Consumers International, a membership organisation for consumer groups around the world.
Background:
i.WCRD was inspired by John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the former President of the United States of America (US), who sent a special message to the US Congress on 15th March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights.
- He was the first world leader to formally acknowledge the importance of consumer rights on a global stage.
ii.WCRD was first observed on 15 March 1983.
Note: WCRD is acknowledged globally with support from the United Nations (UN) and other international entities.
Significance:
i.WCRD emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the quantity, quality, and price of goods also advocating for fair and ethical business practices worldwide.
ii.WCRD 2024 highlights concerns like misinformation, privacy breaches, discriminatory practices, and the way Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven platforms propagate false information and biases.
Basic Consumer Rights by John F Kennedy:
In 1962, John F Kennedy declared 4 basic consumer rights: the right to safety; the right to be informed; the right to choose and the right to be heard.
Evolution and Adoption of UNGCP:
i.After global consultation, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) endorsed the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) in April 1985, with subsequent updates in 1999 and 2015.
ii.The guidelines were developed to aid nations in establishing and maintaining adequate consumer protection measures.
iii.They promote ethical conduct, market transparency, and conditions conducive to consumer empowerment.
2024 Events:
During the week of WCRD 2024 (11 – 15 March 2024), Consumers International hosted a Generative AI Dialogue and Debate series.
Events in India:
i.Bureau of Indian Standard(BIS), the National Standards Body of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, celebrated WCRD as ‘Manak Mahotsav’ across India.
ii.Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution organised an event to mark the WCRD 2024 at Thakur College of Engineering and Technology in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled Price Monitoring Dashboard
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution unveiled a Price Monitoring Dashboard for 22 essential commodities in Mumbai.
- The dashboard will monitor wholesale and retail prices of 22 essential commodities through 550 price monitoring centers across 34 States and Union territories.
Other launches:
i.The Union Minister also issued India’s first International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) pattern approval certificate to private weighing and measurement manufacturers in Navi Mumbai.
- With this, India becomes the 13th country globally to grant this authorisation. It is mandatory for exporting weighing and measurement instruments.
- Ahmedabad’s Regional Reference Standard Laboratory has been authorised for issuing certificates.
ii.The Union Minister also launched the Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) website to facilitate consumer grievances.
iii.He virtually inaugurated integrated power transmission line equipment testing lab.
iv.He released a book titled ‘Consumer Protection and Legal Metrology in Ancient India’ and Amar Chitra Katha’s booklets on Consumer Journey.
About Consumers International:
Director General– Helena Leurent
Headquarters– London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Founded in– 1960
