What are consumer rights?
Everything we do, from advocacy to insights to engaging with marketplace leaders, is grounded within a consumer rights approach.
Consumers International has led the consumer movement in developing a global, inclusive vision of consumer protection and empowerment. For over 60 years, we have been at the heart of action to develop and secure recognition for a universal understanding of consumer rights and needs. This saw success in 1985 with the adoption of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, and in the years following as we have driven implementation and uptake of the Guidelines in countries around the word.
Why do consumer rights matter?
We are all consumers. Every day, we purchase necessities like food and water; we connect with the world through digital technology; we use energy to heat our homes and to travel to work or school. We are consumers every day and in every part of our lives. Sometimes accessing our consumer rights can be the difference between life and death. And in many countries the goal of realising these rights is still a long way off.
Our core belief is that all people have a right to access safe goods and quality services, to be treated fairly, and to be offered effective solutions if things go wrong.
United Nations Guidelines on Consumer Protection
Following successful campaigning by Consumers International, the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. They were revised in 1999, and again in 2015, when the General Assembly adopted the revised United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection.
These guidelines are an important tool, giving added legitimacy to the principles of consumer rights and practical support and guidance for the development of consumer protection around the world.
What do consumers need?
The guidelines are centred around meeting eleven 'legitimate needs' of consumers. Our accessible guide summarises the main principles of consumer protection and how they can be applied.
Monitoring progress on consumer protection
Following the 2015 revision of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, an Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) for Consumer Protection was established by United Nations Trade & Development (UNCTAD). The body works to enhance international cooperation in consumer protection, evaluate take-up and implementation of the guidelines in Member States, and make recommendations about their application.
Each year, Consumers International represents its 200 Members at the IGE to ensure the global consumer voice is heard in consumer policy.
Our influence through this forum has driven enhanced support for consumer organisations around the world, recognition of the need to recognise the crucial role of consumers in the clean energy transition, and furthered cross-border co-operation on product safety.
2022.
World Consumer Rights Day
Every year on March 15, the consumer movement and other influential actors come together to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day to raise global awareness on consumer rights, protection and empowerment.
Ever since the first World Consumer Rights Day in 1963, Consumers International has been proud to coordinate the day through a multi-stakeholder approach which unites our 200 Members, international organisations, government, business and civil society.
In recent years we have led campaigns on major consumer challenges: fair and responsible AI, clean energy transitions, fair digital finance, plastic pollution and much more.
