Significance of Consumers International
The consumer should have knowledge and ought to be well informed regarding the qualities and contents of the goods and services available in the market
Syed Gouseuzzaman Haideri Ali
Consumer International (CI) is the only global voice for the consumers. CI is the world confederation of consumer groups. It serves the consumers interest beyond the limits and boundaries of the states. CIs functions are transnational and trans boundary. It was established in 1960 with its name as International Organization of Consumers Union (IOCU) by the national consumer organizations who wanted to create cross border consumer campaigns and share knowledge. The founder of IOCU was Elizabeth Schadee, who was the first director of United Kingdoms Consumer Associations. Later on, when the activities became wider and membership increased, IOCU changed its name to Consumer International (CI) in 1995.
Purpose and objective of CI: The very slogan of CI is the Global Voice of Consumers. With its member organizations, CI aims to build powerful international consumer movement to help, protect and empower consumers everywhere. The central functions of CI are to meet the basic rights of the consumers.
Beginning of Consumerism in the World: March 15,is celebrated as an international consumer rights day. On March 15, 1962 former US president John F. Kennedy declared the consumers rights for the first time. On this day, the former US president delivered his historic speech in the Congress and outlined his vision of consumer rights. Therefore March 15, 1962 is considered as the day of the beginning of consumerism in the world. In his historic speech, President John F. Kennedy outlined his vision of consumer rights .He stated that consumer by definition include us all. They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decisions. Yet they are the only important group, whose views are not often heard. In this speech the former president extolled four basic rights of the consumer. These basic rights came to be known as Consumer Bill of Rights. These rights are discussed below.
i) The Right to Safety
The consumers should be protected against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to health or life.
ii) The Right to be Informed
The consumer should have knowledge and ought to be well informed regarding the qualities and contents of the goods and services available in the market. Moreover the consumers must be protected against fraudulent, deceitful or grossly misleading information, advertising, labeling or other deceptive practices.
iii) The Right to Choose
The consumer should be provided with a wide variety of products and services at competitive prices. Hence they can be supplied with a broad range of choices
iv) The Right to be Heard
Consumer ought to be provided with a right of fair and speedy hearing in the courts, tribunals or in legal communities. It should also be assured that consumers interests will receive full and sympathetic consideration in the formulation of governmental plans, policies and guidelines.
United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP): In 1985, the concept of consumer rights was endorsed by the UNGCP. Former US President previously recommended four basic rights of the consumers which were discussed above. Later on UNGCP included those rights and added four more rights. Therefore, the consumer rights were expanded to eight basic rights. The rights which were added are mentioned below.
v) The Right to Satisfaction of Basic Needs
This right demands that people should be satisfied of their basic needs and should have access to their basic essential goods and services like adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care and public utilities like electricity, water and sanitation.
vi) The Right to Redress
The right to redress provides for consumers to receive a fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
vii) The Right to Consumer Education
The consumer should have the right to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed customer.
viii) The Right to Healthy Environment
The consumer has the right to live in a home and work in a work place that is non threatening to the wellbeing of present and future generations.
Functions of CI: CI is an international consortium of consumer advocacy groups that promotes the rights and interests of the consumers.CI considers the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) as its pivot around which it will function.
The main functions of CI are to promote the Consumer Bill of Rights which are the main contents of UNGCP. From the time of its establishment, CI is striving hard to achieve, fulfill and protect the rights of the consumers which are within its agenda.
Role of CI: CI is the world federation of consumer groups that serves as the only independent and authoritative global voice for consumers. From the time of its establishment, the organization continued to build a sustained international movement to empower and protect the consumers everywhere. CI is working with its partners and members globally, to promote and champion the rights of the consumers and ensure that they are treated safely, fairly and honestly.
Charter of CI: CI is a British not-for- Profit Company limited by guarantee. Its charter consists of a Memorandum of Associations and Articles of Associations. The charter provides for the legal framework of the organization and safeguards its integrity and independence. The charter also sets out the legally binding conditions and processes that CI and its various component parts, must follow in its activities and deliberations.
Criteria for Full Membership of CI
A national or a regional consumer body is eligible to become a full member of CI if it fulfills the following requirements:
If it functions exclusively on behalf of the interest of the consumers;
If it is not involved in the advancement of the commercial interests;
and it is nonprofit making in character.
Organization of CI
CI is made up of its 250 full member organizations in 120 countries. All member organizations represent CI in their own countries and territories.CI also has its regional offices in Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
Structure of CI
CI consists of the organs which are discussed herein under.
a) The General Assembly
The General Assembly consists of the full members of CI. Normally it holds a general meeting in every three years.
b) The Council
The Council is made up of those members who are directors of CI. The Council meets at least once within seven days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly and at least once subsequent to the meeting of the General Assembly.
c) The Executive
The Executive consists of the following officers of CI;
The President
The Vice President
An Honorary Secretary
An Honorary Treasurer
Up to four members of the Council nominated by the officers and appointed by the Council.
The Executive meets at such times as it decides or at least twice a year.
d) Such working parties or committees as may from time to time be established under provisions of the articles of CI.
CI and Bangladesh
CI is represented in Bangladesh by Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB).It is a full member of CI. It was established in 1978.CAB is a nonprofit making and non-governmental voluntary organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of consumers rights and interests in the country. Its mission is to empower consumers with the knowledge and skill for the effective protection of their rights and interests.
Some Recommendations for Improvement
CI ought to make more supervision over and more interaction with its full members and regional offices across the globe. World is becoming smaller in modern times. Hence, keeping closer contact with its member organizations and regional offices has become easier.
CI has many common functions and objectives with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and CAC (Codex Alimentarius Commission) Thereby CI should have more exchange of ideas, policies and programmers with them.
CAC has a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practices, guidelines and other recommendations relating to food, food production and food safety. The Commissions main goal is to protect the health of the consumers. CAC is an international reference point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.
ISO also deals with consumer protection. COPOLCO is an ISOs Committee on Consumers Policy. COPOLCO undertakes a range of activities to promote and encourage consumers interests in standards.
CI should come in closer contact with ISO and CAC because these are international institutions which deal with consumers welfare. So, whenever it is possible, CI can work in joint venture with them.
The writer is an advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
