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On 15 March 1962, President John F Kennedy sent a special message to the US Congress in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. He was the first world leader to do so, and the consumer movement now marks 15 March, with World Consumer Rights Day, every year as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. 

President Kennedy said: 'Consumers include us all. They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group... whose views are often not heard.'

The Issue

More than thirty years ago, Consumers International started to mark 15 March as World Consumer Rights Day, and since then the date is celebrated throughout the world as a reminder for countries to observe and enforce consumer rights and needs.

In July 2017, national consumer protection ministries and agencies reached a historic agreement on a proposal for the United Nations (UN) to make World Consumer Protection Week an official UN observance. If the proposal is adopted at the UN General Assembly later this year, Consumers International will continue to mark the 15 March as World Consumer Rights Day, within the UN recognised World Consumer Protection Week. UN recognition would be an important step towards meeting the challenge that President Kennedy set out more than 50 years ago.

Many consumers still face real challenges in their everyday lives, including a lack of access or unsafe goods and services, and unfair practices. Raising awareness of consumer rights amongst consumers, businesses and governments is an important step in helping to put consumer protection in place.

We believe that official UN recognition of World Consumer Protection Week can play a crucial part in this, helping to put consumer rights on the map of even more organisations, governments, companies and media outlets. It will help to raise awareness by engaging more people, in more activities, in more countries.

Past Themes

A truly international event, World Consumer Rights Day raises awareness of existing rights and shines a light on areas where there is inadequate consumer protection in place. Previous themes have included campaigns on:

  • basic rights
  • safe food
  • digital
  • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
  • trade
  • public utilities
  • healthy diets
  • financial services
  • phone rights


Celebrated by the majority of countries around the world, activities marking the day have included media stunts, public meetings, marches, social media campaigns and the publication of test results, surveys and opinion pieces.

Learn more

What we and our members are doing:

We’re asking our members to contact their Regional Networker for more information on how to get involved in the campaign for UN recognition of World Consumer Protection Week. Formal recognition will make it easier for members to get media coverage of their activities and help to secure the participation of senior figures from government and business. It will also help to introduce consumer rights to new groups and help them realise the contribution that consumer rights can make to fairer and stronger economies, poverty reduction, improved health and safety and many other issues that affect people today. 

If you don't know them already you can find details of your regional networker here

Latest News

Governments take first step towards an official UN World Consumer Protection Week

7th July 2017

National consumer protection ministries and agencies have reached agreement on a proposal to make World Consumer Protection Week an official UN observance.

Read more

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💳#Finance: @ASPECPERU (Peru) explained the economic damage that #shrinkflation inflicts on #consumers' finances in… https://t.co/isTVCLLbdn
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🌽#Food: @elpoderdelc (Mexico) held an #FBLive event to discuss how farmers can create non-transgenic #corn suitable… https://t.co/0taTFPmjAJ
📦@ConsumerReports (US) informed #consumers of the false & unregulated claims on labels of packaged salads, includin… https://t.co/XOjLiw5HdM
🧑‍🤝‍🧑#ConsumerAwareness: @choiceaustralia (Australia) informed consumers how to spot #FakeReviews online👉… https://t.co/gOONNWObgx
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RT @Consumers_Int: Plastic pollution crosses borders and requires global action. Ahead of #WorldEnviromentday, check out this new… https://t.co/FLobcHrnOe
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RT @Consumers_Int: 📢 Join our exciting session "Wardrobe of the future: how to change the textiles and fashion industry" at @WCEF2023.… https://t.co/2pkuSAMtlp
Tomorrow, we join speakers from @GSMAMobileMoney, @poverty_action & more at the @RegtechAfrica Conference. Disc… https://t.co/9NRZjHhOtg
Last week, our team joined @FinEquityGlobal to discuss solutions.💡 We emphasised the need for providers & regulato… https://t.co/ce1c6XVVww
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
Financial inclusion has seen major gains in recent years. But across the world, many women still find themselves ex… https://t.co/bVdYAaY7j0
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We look forward to collaborating further in advance of the @intgovforum in Kyoto this October – to help bridge gaps… https://t.co/qP3H8hB4fP
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
We were also pleased to connect with @ConsumersJapan to understand developments in Japanese digital regulation – su… https://t.co/rYRgKf8iPM
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
Ministers have agreed to set up an Institutional Arrangement for Partnership to operationalise the trusted, safe, f… https://t.co/qGgvrMPICZ
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
Today, attention turns to Hiroshima, Japan, where leaders gather for the beginning of the #G7Summit . Ahead of dis… https://t.co/6cGtP1dqI7
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
Our perspective: 🌐Leaders must consider how low trust, data breaches and manipulative practices are affecting cons… https://t.co/odKIZgPOCI
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
With digital ministers identifying data free flow with trust as a key issue ahead of the #G7 - we call on decision-… https://t.co/8lcStHt5tu
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
The free flow of data across borders is an urgent priority for consumers, business & government.
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int
To ensure 'Data Free Flow with Trust' is a win-win for people, business & regulators, we contributed the consumer p… https://t.co/JkqvXrBfRK
Consumers_Int @Consumers_Int