The consumer movement marks March 15th with World Consumer Rights Day every year, as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. Celebrating the day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.
World Consumer Rights Day was inspired by President John F Kennedy, who sent a special message to the US Congress on 15th March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. The consumer movement first marked that date in 1983 and now uses the day every year to mobilise action on important issues and campaigns.
This World Consumer Rights Day (15 March 2021), consumers will join together to Tackle Plastic Pollution.
We are currently facing a global plastic pollution crisis. Although plastic can be a highly useful material in everyday life, our consumption and production of plastics have become unsustainable.
Now is a critical time in highlighting, addressing, and tackling plastic pollution as the global COVID-19 pandemic adds to the rise of single-use plastics including face masks, gloves, and food packaging.
Consumers International, UNEP and One Planet Network release their global assessment of recycling and sustainability labelling on plastic packaging. The research found only 19% of assessed labels give consumers quality information to make informed recycling and purchasing decisions.
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Today, Consumers International launch their Guidelines for Online Product Safety. These are developed by independent organisations representing consumer rights, to address the urgent need for consumer protection in e-commerce.
The Guidelines react to the current state of digital markets, where there is a lack of safety and transparency found in products sold online to consumers. In response, the Guidelines present global recommendations for action from governments and businesses to ensure the rights and needs of consumers are built into the design of e-commerce regulations and practices.