CONSUMER PROTECTION RIGHTS

COMMERCE 

SS 3 FIRST TERM 

WEEK 4

TOPIC:

CONSUMER PROTECTION

FIRST TERM CONTENT:

1. The need for protection

2.     Consumer right

3.     Consumerism

4.     Instrument of protection e.g. legislation

Sub-topic 1:

The need for protection

Consumer protection can be defined as the various ways and methods adopted by the government and private organizations to ensure that consumers are not cheated or exploited by the producers and middlemen and that they derive maximum satisfaction from the consumption of goods and services they pay for.

There is a need for consumer protection for several reasons, including the fact that consumers are often not well informed about the products they purchase and may be susceptible to deceptive advertising or other misleading tactics by producers. Furthermore, because of the rise of globalized trade and commerce in recent years, consumers are also faced with an increasingly complex and fragmented market landscape, which can make it difficult to exercise their rights as consumers.

Despite these challenges, there are a number of different methods that can be used to protect consumers and promote consumer rights. These include a variety of legal instruments, such as legislation aimed at preventing deceptive advertising or regulating the safety of certain products.

Reasons for Consumer Protection

1.     Substandard goods or low-quality goods: Consumers are to be protected from such substandard and low-quality goods.

2.     Misleading and fake advertisement: Consumers must not be misled as a result of buying a product or service.

3.     Incorrect weights and measures: Consumers are protected to avoid the use of deceptive weights and measures in the sale of goods by the sellers.

4.     To ensure maximum satisfaction: Consumers are protected so as to get maximum satisfaction from goods bought and value for money spent.

5.     Unreasonably high price: The consumers must be protected from exploitation caused by unreasonably high prices.

6.     Protection against harmful and dangerous goods: They should be protected against dangerous goods or goods that may be harmful.

7.     Credit purchase agreement: They must be protected against false credit facilities e.g. hire purchase.

8.     The right to choose should not be restricted: This will ensure that a consumer gets the type of goods and services he demands for.

9.     Regular supply of goods: Consumers are protected to ensure a regular supply of goods.

10.Awareness of certain laws: Consumers need to be educated on hire purchase laws and other such laws.

11.Inadequate instruction or direction: Consumers should be instructed on the right use of items so as not to suffer injuries e.g. electrical items.

Overall, there is a strong need for effective consumer protection measures in today’s global marketplace. By promoting and enforcing consumer rights, we can ensure that consumers are protected from exploitation, misinformation, and unsafe or harmful goods, while also encouraging greater involvement and empowerment on the part of consumers themselves.

EVALUATION

1.     What is consumer protection?

2.     State the reasons consumers should be protected.

3. What are some of the key methods used for consumer protection?

4. Explain how consumer protection can promote greater involvement on the part of consumers.

5. What are some of the challenges faced by consumers in today’s marketplace, and how can these be addressed?

Sub-topic 2:

Consumer Rights

The rights of consumers are as follows:

1.     They have the right to choose between alternatives.

2.     Consumers have the right to good things of life

3.     They have the right to safety

4.     Consumer has the right to be heard

5.     They have the right to be informed

6.     Consumers have the right to receive value for their money 7. Consumers have the right to seek redress to correct any injustice

7. They have the right to live in a healthy environment.

Overall, consumer rights are crucial for ensuring that consumers are treated fairly and equitably in today’s marketplace. By recognizing and protecting these rights, we can help to protect consumers from exploitation, ensure their safety and well-being, and promote greater engagement with the legal system on their behalf. In this way, effective consumer rights protection can be an important tool for promoting a more just, equitable, and sustainable global economy.

Consumerism

Consumerism can be defined as the organized efforts or actions of consumers or individuals to protect themselves against the unfair practices of businessmen. It can also be defined as a protest against business injustices and the efforts to correct such injustices. Consumerism came into existence in 1960s when a movement to obtain a greater say in the quality of the products they bought started.

There are several reasons why consumerism is important. These include:

1. Protecting consumers from exploitative or unethical business practices such as false advertising, overcharging, and unsafe products.

2. Promoting responsible consumption patterns and environmental sustainability by encouraging consumers to make more informed purchasing choices and use resources more efficiently.

3. Empowering consumers to take action against unethical or harmful business practices and hold businesses accountable for their actions.

4. Encouraging greater engagement with the political system on behalf of consumers, in order to promote more just and equitable policies.

EVALUATION

1.                   What is consumerism?

2.                   List 5 rights of the consumer.

3. What are some of the key reasons why consumerism is important?

4. How can consumerism help to promote a more just and equitable society?

5. How can consumerism be used as a tool for promoting responsible consumption patterns and environmental sustainability?

Sub-topic 3:

Instruments of protection (e.g. Legislation)

In order to check the unfair practices of producers and middlemen, various legislations or laws have been enacted by the government. Some of the laws enacted to protect consumers are:

1.     Food and Drug Act 1955

2.     Weight and Measures Act 1963

3.     Price Control Decree 1970

4.     Trade Description Act 1968

5.     Standard Organization Decree 1971

6.     Hire Purchase Act 1975

7.     Sales of Goods Act 1893

8.     Rent Edict 1984

These laws and regulations are instruments of protection that help to ensure fair treatment of consumers and prevent exploitation by businesses. They also provide a way for affected individuals or groups to seek redress if they have been wronged, which can promote greater engagement with the legal system on behalf of consumers. In this sense, effective consumer protections not only support the interests of consumers themselves, but can also help to promote a more just, equitable, and sustainable economy for all.

Agencies Responsible For Consumer Protection

1. Consumer Association

2.     Manufacturers Association

3.     Rent Tribunal

4.     Price Control Board

5.     Food and Drug Department of Ministry of Health

6.     Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)

7.     Environmental Protection Agency

8.     Public Health Department/Unit

9.     Professional Bodies

10. Ministry of Trade and Industry

These are some of the agencies that are responsible for consumer protection in a country. They play an important role in promoting fair treatment and ensuring that consumers’ rights are upheld. They may also provide educational programs or other initiatives to help inform consumers about their rights, as well as promote better engagement with the legal system on behalf of consumers.

EVALUATION:

1.     State five provisions of each of the following Acts:

(a)  Food and Drug Act

(b)  Trade Description Act

(c)   Rent Edict

2. How do the various consumer protection agencies in your country help to promote the interests of consumers?

3. What are some of the challenges that can arise when it comes to protecting consumers, and how can these be addressed?

4. How can consumer groups, businesses, or other stakeholders work together to promote responsible consumption practices and a more sustainable society?

GENERAL EVALUATION

Objective Test

1. The Nigeria Consumer Protection Act came into effect in

(a)  1982 (b) 1992 (c) 2012 (d) 1972 (e) 1986

2.     One of these is not a mandate of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Act

(a)  To arrest drug addicts (b) To seek ways and means of removing or eliminating hazardous products from the market (c) To organize public awareness to consumers (d) To provide speedy redress to consumers complaints through negotiation (e) To encourage companies, industries and associations to produce high quality products.

3.  Apart from the consumer protection laws, the following agents are also set up by the government to protect consumers except (a) Food and Drug Protection Law (b) Sales of Goods Acts 1979 (c) Copyright Act (d) Hire Purchase Acts 1999 (e)

(a)  According to the Consumer Protection Act, consumers have all these rights except

(a)  Right to safety (b) Right to choose (c) Right to be informed (d) Right to produce

(e) Right to healthy living.

4. The role of Standard Organization of Nigerian (SON) includes one of the following

(a) Control of alcohol and drug intake (b) Recommend and approve material for production process (c) Human right decree (d) Control of child labour and human trafficking (e) none of the above.

5. As a consumer, you can file any of the following actions against the manufacturer if their products cause more harm than good

(a) Tort (b) Negligence (c) Quasi-contracts (d) Breach of contract (e) none of these.

6. The Consumer Protection Council has the following powers, except

(a) To make an order directing a manufacturer or supplier to recall goods that are unsafe or hazardous (b) To provide for speedy redress of complaints by consumers against unfair treatment (c) To organize public awareness campaigns on consumer rights and responsibilities (d) To investigate breaches of consumer protection laws and take appropriate actions (e) To impose sanctions on businesses that engage in fraudulent or misleading activities

7. One of the following is NOT an actionable wrong under tort law (a) False advertising and defamation (b) Breach of contract (c) Defamation (d) Unfair treatment by a manufacturer or supplier (e) Invasion of privacy

8. How can consumers and businesses work together to promote responsible consumption practices?

ESSAY TEST

1.     Why must consumers be protected?

2.     Identify and discuss five legislations on consumer protection

3.     Name and discuss three agencies for consumer protection in your country, and explain how they help to protect the interests of consumers.

4. What are some common challenges that can arise when protecting consumers, and how can these be addressed?

5. How can consumer groups, businesses, or other stakeholders work together to promote responsible consumption practices and a more sustainable society?

WEEKEND ACTIVITY

1.     Differentiate between commercialization and privatization

2.     Explain what deregulation is all about. Give examples of industries that were once heavily regulated but have since been deregulated.

3. Research the concept of consumer protection, and discuss the role that consumers can play in safeguarding their own interests and promoting responsible consumption practices.

4. How do businesses and other stakeholders navigate competing interests related to consumer rights and protection?

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT

What are some key considerations when balancing the rights of consumers with other considerations, such as ensuring a healthy business environment or promoting sustainable practices? How can they work together to effectively promote consumer protection in line with these goals?