All people, to one degree or another, are direct consumers of certain goods and services. And, as a rule, it is the buyers who remain the most unprotected in our time. What is the meaning of the holiday Consumer Rights Day?
History of occurrence
World Consumer Rights Day officially acquired holiday status in March 1983. This tradition dates back to a speech in 1961 by US President D. Kennedy.
In his speech, he first gave a clear definition of the concept of "consumer". The President noted that this is a special economic group, whose interests are affected absolutely in all spheres of life. Based on this, Kennedy identified several legal aspects that subsequently served as the basis for the relevant law:
- the right to security;
- the right to receive information,
- the right to choose;
- the right to be heard.
A little later, this list was expanded, and it included:
- right to redress;
- the right to have a favorable environment;
- the right to education as a consumer;
- the right to meet basic needs.
Law of the Russian Federation "On Protection of Consumer Rights"
On February 7, 1992, the government of the Russian Federation adopted a law regulating the rights of consumers. It is worth noting that this led to the urgent need to regulate relations between the seller, which is most often the state, and the buyer.
After the entry into force of this law, Consumer Rights Protection Day became widely known in Russia. The press and the media are now covering this topic more and more often so that, in a controversial situation, the consumer knows and understands what his rights and obligations are.
What to do when consumer rights are violated
In such cases, it is worth remembering just a few points:
- Always read the information on the label. It should be written in Russian. If there are any doubts about the correctness of the choice of a product or service, it is better to look for additional data on the manufacturer’s website, in the media or consult with professionals.
- Try to monitor the expiration date of purchased products as closely as possible. If it has expired, and the goods are still on the shelf of the store, it is worth recalling your rights and contacting higher structures.
- The seller is obliged to issue a check, receipt or service agreement. If for some reason they didn’t give you anything like this, then this is an occasion to clarify the circumstances. Do not forget that you can express all claims to the seller only if you have a receipt. Compensation for damage is also made upon mandatory availability of a document confirming the purchase.
- If you have any doubts about the proper quality of the purchased goods or services, then again you should contact the authorities of Rospotrebnadzor.
These and many other situations are discussed in more detail in the federal consumer rights law.
The role of the holiday in the Russian Federation
In our country it is not customary to fully celebrate such holidays. However, many remember that March 15 is the Consumer Protection Day in Russia. This is largely facilitated by Internet resources, newspapers, magazines, advertising on television and on posters.
General compulsory education institutions and universities also carry out propaganda regarding this issue. All events are organized to educate today's youth. It is very important that the younger generation remember where they can turn to on the issue of protecting their rights and in what cases. Themed class hours, quizzes, games are held annually on the Consumer Rights Protection Day at school. Children with great interest take part in such events, unconsciously joining the study of Russian legislation.
The role of the holiday outside of Russia
On World Consumer Rights Day, all countries open hotlines with the help of which anyone can solve the problem associated with the purchase of low-quality goods or the inappropriate provision of a certain service. All kinds of demonstrations and rallies are also organized in order to attract as many people as possible.
In many countries, the day of consumer protection is celebrated by shopping, during which it is not necessary to buy things in the store, and you just need to take a closer look at the quality of the goods and evaluate the level of service.
Themes and mottos of the holiday
Traditionally, the Consumer Rights Protection Day has a certain focus and is held under the appropriate motto, which is adopted by the International Federation of Consumer Organizations. Each of the slogans corresponds to a topic on which increased attention will be directed.
How was the Consumer Rights Protection Day this year in Russia
This year in our country, the holiday was dedicated to the topic of healthy eating. Diseases associated with improper diet selection are in one of the first places. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol - these are the main problems of modern man. Intrusive advertising, marketing techniques, lack of necessary information entail a demand for harmful products. In such cases, it must be remembered that anyone can contact the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare on issues of upholding one's own rights and interests. It is for this purpose that the state in every way supports a variety of events dedicated to such a holiday as the Consumer Rights Protection Day.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that consumer illiteracy is growing every day in society. Our common goal is to teach as many people as possible to assert their rights. For this, it is necessary to involve all organizations in this process. Schools should teach this to children from the first grade, universities - young people, and direct employers - their employees. If there is a well-functioning education system related to such issues, sellers will be interested in constantly improving the quality of goods and services, and buyers will be protected by the state. Therefore, the need for such a holiday as Consumer Rights Protection Day is undeniable. So, let’s carefully examine this important law concerning each of us before making a purchase.