Comments on: Consumer Protection in LAC II-A – The Intergovernmental Actors

By: Keith R

Keith R — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:59:52 +0000

I didn’t think you were criticizing, John, just thought perhaps you’d missed the intro. You’re right, I perhaps should have clarified the chronology/evolution in this entry. I’m never sure how much and which detail on policy issues to get into on a blog entry, for fear of losing readers not as fascinated in the issue as I am.

As someone who worked on the development of the Guidelines and headed a consumer agency, a double welcome to the Temas Blog! I hope this is not your last visit, and please feel free to input on consumer issues here — or any other, for that matter! I like feedback, discussion — it’s the only way to improve the blog, which is something I’m always striving for.

By: John Wood

John Wood — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 05:55:11 +0000

Thanks for the response Keith. I was not criticising, but rather pointing out that in terms of chronology JFK’s four rights led to Consumer Internationsl’s eight rights and it was these that formed the basis of the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection. I was formerly head of the Australian Government’s consumer policy agency and involved in the development of the UN Guidelines and their propagation in the Asia-Pacific Region.

By: Keith R

Keith R — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:24:18 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, John, and welcome to The Temas Blog. I actually mentioned Kennedy's speech (complete with a link to a text of said speech) and CI's championing of it in the Introduction to this series, so I did not feel the need to repeat it here, but maybe should have. Best regards, Keith

By: John Wood

John Wood — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:07:58 +0000

Well done on a very informative site. You may wish to add the internationally recognised 8 consumer rights as developed by JFK and the Consumers International:
How are Consumer Rights defined?

1. The right to satisfaction of basic needs – To have access to basic, essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation.

2. The right to safety – To be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardous to health or life.

3. The right to be informed – To be given the facts needed to make an informed choice, and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labelling.

4. The right to choose – To be able to select from a range of products and services, offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

5. The right to be heard – To have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy, and in the development of products and services.

6. The right to redress – To receive a fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.

7. The right to consumer education – To acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about goods and services, while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them.

8. The right to a healthy environment -To live and work in an environment which is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations.
All the best
John Wood

By: A Consumer Reports...

A Consumer Reports... — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 05:36:00 +0000

Latin America Consumer Protection…

Great report on consumer issues in Latin America and the Caribbean…….