Commerce · Ch 17 — Rights, Duties & Responsibilities of Consumers
The Six Recognised Consumer Rights
The Six Recognised Consumer Rights
Indian consumer-protection law recognises six broad rights that together form the foundation of consumer protection. Each right addresses a different stage of the buying process — before the purchase, during the purchase, and after something goes wrong.
| Right | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Safety | Protection against goods and services that are hazardous to life, health, or property | Refusing to buy a pressure cooker without a proper safety valve, or an electrical appliance without adequate insulation |
| Right to be Informed | The right to know the quality, quantity, purity, standard, and price of goods or services before buying | Reading the label on a packaged food item for its ingredients, manufacturing date, and Maximum Retail Price |
| Right to Choose | The right to be assured, wherever possible, of access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices, free from forced or single-brand selling | A shopkeeper cannot compel a customer to buy only one brand of soap when other brands are genuinely available |
| Right to be Heard | The right to be heard and to be assured that a consumer's interests will receive due consideration at the appropriate forum | Raising a complaint with a company's customer-service desk and expecting a genuine response |
| Right to Seek Redressal | The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or exploitation, including compensation or a remedy for a genuine grievance | Approaching a consumer forum for a refund or replacement of a defective mobile phone |
| Right to Consumer Education | The right to acquire the knowledge and skill needed to be an informed consumer throughout life | Learning to check the expiry date, price, and quality marks on a product before purchase |
The consumer's right to be protected against goods and services that are hazardous to life, hea …
The consumer's right to know the quality, quantity, purity, standard, and price of a good or service …
The consumer's right to be assured of access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices, free from forced …
The consumer's right to have a genuine complaint or concern receive due consideration at the a …
The consumer's right to legal recourse and compensation against unfair trade practices, defective goods, or …
The consumer's right to acquire the knowledge and skill needed to remain an informed buyer …