Panel Discussion – Consumers Should Be Protected Through Strong Laws

Eminent consumer activists and lawyers urged all political parties to support the passage of the Consumer Protection Bill 2018 in Lok Sabha and include it in their party manifesto.

On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2019, a sensitization meet was organised by Consumer Voice at the New Delhi head office.

Shri Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE introduced the global theme of World Consumer Rights Day- Trusted Smart Products and told that we need to address the risk and concerns that come with allowing smart products into our lives such as: poor data protection, weak security and lack of accessible information. He stressed upon a strong law to safeguard the consumers and gave a brief introduction about consumer protection bill 2018.

Shri DivyaJyoti Jaipuriar, President Consumer Redressal Forum (South-west) Delhi , Shri C.K. Chaturvedi, Senior Advocate and Former President Consumer  Redressal Forum New Delhi , Prof.Sri Ram Khanna, Former Head & Dean Commerce, Delhi School of Economics & Managing Trustee, Consumer VOICE, joined the panel discussion.

The theme of the discussion was “How to strengthen consumer rights through the passage of Consumer Protection Bill 2018 in the next parliament session.”

FOLLOWING POINTS WERE DISCUSSED

• On December 20, 2018, The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 with some significant amendments was passed in the Lok Sabha. However, the Bill lapsed in the Rajya Sabha awaiting passage when the Parliament was adjourned sine die on Wednesday, 13th February, 2019.
• Since this Bill had been introduced in the Lok Sabha which had completed its term, the Bill in Rajya Sabha lapsed upon dissolution of Lok Sabha as per parliamentary procedure.
• There are some gaps in the existing Act like no provision for mediation and out of court settlement inordinate delay, lengthy process of appeal, several adjournments due to unavailability of quorums etc.
• These are the biggest reasons why several aggrieved consumers refrain themselves from filing consumer complaints. For example, if the disputed amount of the consumer is Rs. 10,000/-and his case goes beyond 6 months, no consumer would want to pursue the case as it will defeat the entire purpose of achieving justice.
• This Bill introduced various positive changes, which included (i) Setting up of a Central Consumer protection Authority, (ii) Setting up of Mediation Centres in Consumer Courts, (iii) Widening the jurisdiction of Consumer Courts (iv) Unfair Terms of Contract, (v) Jail for false and misleading ads, sale of spurious products and adulterated food, (vi) Product Liability. This Bill is important to be passed as it will curb these issues and more consumers will be open to approach the consumer courts.

Along with other guests Ms.Rekha Dayal former senior advocate Supreme Court also shared her views on the importance of the Consumer Protection Bill 2018. Ms.Rinki Sharma-Head Projects, Ekta Purohit- Manager-Projects/Media, and Ankur Saha-Legal Head were also present.

World Consumer Rights Day 2021

World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on 15th of March to highlight the power of consumers and their rights for a fair, safe and sustainable marketplace for everyone. This year the theme is  ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’. Through this campaign we intend to increase awareness and engage consumers globally to adopt and promote more sustainable practices.

Here are some hard facts which will help one to understand why tackling plastic pollution is so important:

• By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish
• 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually
• An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enters our oceans every year 
• Single-use plastics account for 50 percent of the plastic produced every year
• Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years
• 40 per cent of plastic produced is packaging and discarded after one use
• India consumed around 18.45 million tonnes of plastics in 2018–19 
• Plastic waste generation is expected to increase to 31.4 million tonnes by 2031 and further to 55 million tonnes by 2041 

(Sources: PlastIndia, 2019, Statista 2019, Consumers International)

The invention of plastics definitely came as a boon but no sooner it became a curse especially with single-use plastics. Plastics which are very useful commodities because of its properties like ductility, malleability, and water resistance have now become an environmental challenge. With lack of awareness and poor solid waste management in cities, plastics have resulted in its littering and damaging oceans, seas and land. Challenges are galore with recycling and management of plastic resources as well. 

However, with time, consumers are gaining awareness and getting concerned about plastic pollution. As per Consumers International, a global study in 2019 found that there is a strong consumer response to plastic waste (with 82% of respondents using reusable cleaning utensils instead of single-use plastic alternatives, 72% bringing reusable bags when shopping and 62% using refillable drinking bottles) – and despite the increased use of single-use plastic during the pandemic, 55% of consumers globally have now become more concerned about the environment as a result of COVID-19 and nearly 74% of consumers (in Europe, the US and South America) are willing to spend more on sustainable packaging.

Theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2021

Keeping the urgent need to save our planet, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2021 has been kept at ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’. The 2021 World Consumer Rights Day campaign will focus on 7Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair and Replace. Consumer VOICE is committed to make the world a better place for consumers from every aspect including protecting it environmental pollution cause due to uneconomical waste disposal.

What can be done?

The 7Rs can be used in an effective way to ensure that we minimise plastic use, refuse unnecessary plastic where possible and demand more sustainable alternatives from businesses and governments. We can extend the lifetime of plastic products by reusingthem, dispose of plastic waste appropriately by following local recycling guidelines. 

Refuse – Refuse to accept or support products or companies that harm the environment. One way of doing this is to refuse items that are over-packaged or packaged in plastic. 

Reduce –One can reduce single use plastic bottles in kitchens and in daily supplies and instead use reusable and refillable products – eg avoid paper cups and paper plates

Reuse – Get in the habit of reusing jars and containers. Reuse plastic bottles for storing or for planting. You can also use bottles for storing cutlery, pen stands etc

Repair– Repair broken and damaged items or recycle them with some excellent ideas. There are many exciting ways household items can be repurposed and repaired. 

Recycle – Recycling of plastic items will reduce waste and environmental pollution. There are various recycle ideas which can be used efficiently.

Replace – Replace plastic containers with eco friendly alternatives. 

Rethink – Rethink before you buy plastic wrapped things from the market. Use unpackaged products to reduce the use of plastics.

Role of Consumer VOICE

Consumer VOICE has been in the forefront in generating awareness and promoting sustainable practices among consumers. Innovative ideas like recycling old plastic bottles for potted plants, refusing plastic bags and replacing it with recycled bags or cloth bags have been part of consumer sensitisation. Children play a crucial role in contributing towards the environment by taking small but solid steps in day to day activities. Encouraging children to drink water out of reusable can, spreading the awareness on the harmful effects of plastics with peer groups are ways which will form part of the campaign. Managing ewaste which accounts for a substantial proportion of plastics is very crucial when it comes to saving our environment. Consumer VOICE has also been spreading awareness through various workshops in the past on how one should become a responsible consumer and contribute diligently towards disposal of ewaste without harming the environment.

Webinar on Safe Tea

World Consumer Rights Day 2020

Climate change is affecting millions of people the world over. This problem should be urgently addressed by global leaders to avert an environmental breakdown and one of the solutions is sustainable consumption. Consumers have a great role to play in this and as a recent study shows that 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable brands. In another report by IKEA, it shows that global population is becoming more informed and anxious about climate change. But though the concern is there, consumers at large feel that not enough action is being taken. A recent survey found 37% don’t know how they can help tackle climate change and 59% feel they do not get enough support from governments, and 51% from business.

THEME OF WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY 2020

Keeping the urgent need to take drastic action to save our environment and prevent biodiversity loss, World Consumer Rights Day 2020 is being celebrated with the theme ‘The Sustainable Consumer’. World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on 15th March every year, where consumer organizations all over the world come together to highlight and raise awareness on issues concerning consumers.
Consumer VOICE too is committed to make the world a better place for consumers from every aspect including protecting it from climate change. Consumer VOICE has chosen E waste management as its theme.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

Sustainable consumption is the consumption of goods and services that have minimal impact upon the environment, are socially equitable and economically viable whilst meeting the basic needs of humans, worldwide. Sustainable consumption targets everyone, across all sectors and all nations, from the individual to governments and multinational conglomerates.
We as consumers have a task in hand if we want to move towards sustainable consumption.Around the world, nearly one million plastic bottles are sold every minute, and five trillion pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans.We buy over 80 billion new clothing items a year, and consume 3.9 billion tonnes of food – one-third of which is lost or wasted.
It is time for us to act for our future generations. Climate change is the worst effect of unsustainable consumption. The decade of the 2020s is our last chance to limit global warming to 1.5c since pre-industrial times, in line with the Paris Agreement and to reverse the current trend of wide-scale biodiversity loss.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Unsustainable Packaging

What we are shopping either online or offline we tend to hoard unnecessary packaging.  Among all packaging food packaging waste equals to almost one third of all trash. Some medicines have two to three layers of plastic packaging too. It is time to demand for either recyclable or reusable packaging.

Unsustainable transportation

The automobile sector adds to the global carbon footprint in a big way. Polluted vehicles, rampant use of personal transport in place of public transport leads to release of carbon monoxide. Ride sharing and use of e-vehicles will help consumers work towards a more sustainable consumption.

Unsustainable Electronic Goods Consumption

Electronic goods are being bought and consumed at a fast rate but its disposal is equally quick. This leads to e-waste which adds toxins to the already polluted environment of ours. We need to guard ourselves against decreasing product lifetime?  Though most consumers know some products are designed to die after a certain point, the thought is less acceptable. 

Consumer VOICE has therefore decided to work towards controlling e-waste, an important part of sustainable consumer.

WHAT IS E WASTE?

Electronic waste, abbreviated as ‘e-waste’ is a term used to describe old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, TVs, radios, refrigerators among others which have been discarded by users.

E-waste is a cocktail of toxins like mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and beryllium or brominated flame retardants that are hazardous to human health and the environment if not recycled using state-of-the art technology. E-waste is not just a problem of waste quantity or volumes. The concern is compounded because of the presence of toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, certain BFRs (brominated flame retardants) and many other chemicals.

With the usage of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on the rise, the amount of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) produced each day is equally growing enormously around the globe.

E WASTE IN INDIA

Did you know?

Computer equipments account for almost 70 per cent of e-waste followed by telecommunication equipments  -phones (12 per cent), electrical equipment (8 per cent) and medical equipment (7 per cent) with the remaining coming from household e-waste.

• India accounts for roughly 4 per cent of e-waste generated annually.
• Mumbai topped the list as it generated an estimated 1,20,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.
• Delhi and Bengaluru ranked second and third, with 98,000 and 92,000 tonnes of e-waste generation respectively.
• Approximately 70 per cent of heavy metals found in landfills are accounted for by E-waste. 
• Since 2018, India generates more than 2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, and also imports huge amounts of e-waste from other countries around the world.

(Source: ASSOCHAM-KPMG study, titled “Electronic Waste Management in India’’)

World Consumer Rights Day Workshop on e-waste

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE E WASTE?

E waste is potentially harmful to the environment and causes hazardous diseases. It affects the air, water and soil too. When improperly disposed of, the heavy metals, plastics and glass in e-waste can pollute the air or seep into waterways. It harms the plants and trees and thus dislodges the ecological balance. In addition to its hazardous components, being processed, e-waste can give rise to a number of toxic by-products likely to affect human health.

E-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from inhalation of toxic fumes, as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food. 

Primitive recycling techniques such as burning cables for retaining the inherent copper expose both adult and child workers as well as their families to a range of hazardous substances.

E WASTE DISPOSAL & MANAGEMENT

Managing E-waste is crucial for sustainable development. E waste which is becoming a huge public health issue needs to be addressed immediately. In order to separately collect, effectively treat, and dispose of e-waste, as well as divert it from conventional landfills and open burning, it is essential to integrate the informal sector with the formal sector. The competent authorities in developing and transition countries need to establish mechanisms for handling and treatment of e-waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

Increasing information campaigns, capacity building, and awareness is critical to promote environment friendly e-waste management programmes. Increasing efforts are urgently required on improvement of the current practices such as collection schemes and management practices to reduce the illegal trade of e-waste. Reducing the amount of hazardous substances in e-products will also have a positive effect in dealing with the specific e-waste streams since it will support the prevention process.

ROLE OF CONSUMER VOICE

Consumer VOICE will explore and study the problem on how one can tackle the problem of e-waste.  One of the ways is to sensitize children, youth and communities about the perils of e-waste and how they can to tackle it.

Children are one of our main target groups as gadgets and electronic goods are more commonly used by Generation Z. So the best possible way to address the problem is through social media. Consumption of electronic goods in the digital era is maximum by this generation which also results in a heavy amount of e-waste. Consumer VOICE plans regular messaging and interactive sessions which will empower children.

World Consumer Rights Day 2019

Smart cards, smart phones, smart TVs, smart ACs, smart remotes, smart glasses smart apps and even smart homes – we are now surrounded by endless list of “smart  products.” But are we being smart using these smart products? Think. Pause. Think Again. We are getting connected by default. However, issues of being digitally connected are more than one. Privacy issues, security challenges are only a few to name. World Consumer Rights Day which is celebrated every year on March 15th is the right platform to highlight what consumers want and need from a connected world and put them at the heart of the development of these digital products and services. 

What is World Consumer Rights Day

15th March is World Consumer Rights Day. In 1962 President John F Kennedy first outlined the definition of Consumer Rights on this very day. Consumer Organisations all over the world come together every year to highlight and raise awareness on issues concerning consumers.

THEME OF WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY 2019

The theme of World Consumers Rights Day 2019 is Trusted Smart Products. Currently there are 23.1 billion smart products in the world, outnumbering people three to one.
 
As more people come online across the world, smart products are changing not only the way we run, we eat, we watch but also the way we work. Smart consumer products are marking a major change in the way many consumers interact with products and services.There are, however, some significant causes for concern like lack of security, privacy and meaningful choice over how we use them, as well as a lack of clarity about who is responsible when things go wrong.

What is a Smart Product

In the last few years the word “smart” has been in use for new consumer products very frequently like smart watch, smart phone, smart door lock and so on.Recent innovations in microchips and sensor technology have changed the way we use and see consumer products today. This technology enables physical products to be filled with intelligence, sensing- and communication abilities.Any product that can connect, share and interact with its users and other devices is termed as a smart product.

CHALLENGES WITH SMART PHONES AND SMART DEVICES

There is hardly an iota of doubt that smart phones have made our life easy. But it has compromised our data security and privacy in ways more than one.

DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION

Use of any app or even to update the software of any smart device, it requires your private data like email and phone number. A significant data privacy risk arises from devices being able to communicate with each other and to transfer data autonomously to third parties. Third parties usually collate and consume data which could reveal accurate knowledge of your online activity and invade your online privacy.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

In 2016, a major cyberattack disrupted internet services across North America and Europe by attacking unsecure printers, home wifi routers and baby monitors allowing the virus to spread quickly, infecting nearly 65,000 devices in less than 24 hours.  In India “As per the information reported to and tracked by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In),” the number of cyber security incidents reported were 44,679 in 2014, 49,455 in 2015 which rose to 50,362 in 2016. Researchers have also shown that malware can hack devices and remotely control all your smart products.

TRANSPARENCY

Though consumers are becoming aware of security and cyber issues, yet how it relates to the business model of a particular organisation is unclear. A study by 25 international privacy regulators showed 59% of devices failed to adequately explain to customers how their personal information was collected, used and disclosed.

SECURITY UPDATES

One needs to constantly update their smart devices to save itself from virus attack. However, companies hardly share any agreement with the consumers on providing them with the latest updates.

WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE?

As smart products are now a common part of our daily lives, it is important to build a process of security so that it is easy and robust for consumers. Taking this opportunity, we would want to increase access to these devices through fair data pricing, a better internet infrastructure as well as securing protections for consumers using second-hand devices.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Consumers should have access to an affordable, high-quality, high-speed internet connection to connect  the network of devices such as vehicles, phones and home appliances.

It is often found that regular security updates are not received by the consumers which lead to hacking and data theft. Therefore products should be sold with basic standard security and updates should be provided for a reasonable period after sale.

Consumers’ privacy and data protection rights must be properly protected and upheld to address potential harms such as discriminatory practices, invasive marketing, loss of privacy and security breaches.

Connected products should abide by interoperable and compatible device and software standards to avoid lock-in effects and enhance consumers’ ability to easily compare and switch providers.
For details on campaign outline, click here

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Panel Discussion – Consumers Should Be Protected Through Strong Laws

Smart Products – a Boon or a Bane