Introduction
Consumer awareness is the knowledge that a buyer should have about a product before buying it. It ensures that consumers are aware of their rights and can make informed decisions to avoid exploitation in the marketplace.
Consumer Exploitation
- Adulteration in food products
- Use of misleading advertisements
- Charging more than the MRP
- Black marketing and hoarding
- Supplying defective or fake products
Consumer Protection Act (COPRA)
The Consumer Protection Act was enacted in 1986 and revised in 2019 to protect consumer rights. It empowers consumers to report malpractices and seek redress through proper legal channels such as the District Forum, State Commission, and National Commission.
Rights of Consumers
- Right to Safety
- Right to Information
- Right to Choose
- Right to be Heard
- Right to Seek Redressal
- Right to Consumer Education
Redressal Mechanism
- District Forum: Complaints up to ₹1 crore
- State Commission: Complaints from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore
- National Commission: Complaints above ₹10 crore
Poster
Product Certification Logos
- ISI Mark – Industrial products
- AGMARK – Agricultural products
- FSSAI – Food safety standards
- Hallmark – Jewelry certification
- Eco Mark – Environment-friendly products
Adulteration Experiments
- Milk with water appears diluted
- Chilli powder in water shows red streaks due to added dye
- Mustard seeds float if mixed with argemone seeds
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Sharad for his constant support and guidance. This project would not have been possible without his insightful feedback and encouragement.
Reflection
Through this project, I learned the importance of being an aware and informed consumer. Understanding our rights helps ensure fair treatment and protection against exploitation in daily transactions.
Bibliography
- NCERT Class X Economics Textbook
- jagograhakjago.gov.in
- consumeraffairs.nic.in