Strengthen Consumer Safety in India and to publish the ‘State of Consumer Safety in India Report’ (ConsumersUp-2)

About the Project

India is one of the largest consumer market of good and services. In service sector, being the transition economy, India is still in the process of establishing the systems to protect consumers’ right to safety. Right to safety means the right of the consumer to be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardous to health or life. It includes concern for consumers’ long-term interests as well as their immediate requirements.

The UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection clearly mention the right to safety as one of the inalienable rights of the consumer. The Constitution of India also has provisions regarding the right to safety. Apart from the Constitutional provisions, International Conventions and standards are various regulations issued by regulatory agencies, consumer safety issues have been dealt in at least 25 different legislations.

Despite all these, the state of consumer safety in India is not very encouraging. As evident from the ‘State of Indian Consumer Report 2012’ by CUTS itself, ‘Safety’ comes very low in the priority list of the Indian mass—this is the common perception. Empowering consumers will result in better and effective implementation of safety regulation and legislations. It will also enhance the visibility, accountability and functioning of agencies mandated to ensure consumers’ right to safety in India.

Support and Implementation

The project is being implemented by CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CUTS CART) to take the Indian consumer movement forward. Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs, Government of India has provided financial assistance for the same under its Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF).

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