World Consumer Rights Day (15th March)

Theme : 'Consumer Justice Now!'

The day has its origin in former US President John F. Kennedy’s declaration of four basic consumer rights in his 15th March 1962 special message to the US Congress such as: Right to safety, right to be informed, right to choose and right to be heard. ”Consumers by definition, include us all,” Kennedy said in his declaration to the US Congress.

To these four basic rights, Consumers International added four more rights: right to satisfaction of basic needs, right to redress, right to education and right to a healthy environment. World Consumer Rights Day was first observed on 15th March, 1983. Two years later, on 9th April 1985, the United Nations general assembly adopted the UN guidelines for consumer protection. and approved the idea to declare March 15 World Consumer Rights Day. The consumer movement now marks 15 March every year as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights.

Whether it is faulty products causing injury, utility service providers ignoring complaints, or irresponsible lending by banks, better consumer protection is always part of the solution.

Good consumer protection is not just about legislation, it can deliver justice, create a fairer society and even save lives.

Consumerism Exhibition (One Utama, May 15 ~ May 19 )

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) will celebrate its founding anniversary on the 40th of this year.

In conjunction with the anniversary of the founding FOMCA 40th this year, one of the programs that have been planned for Consumer Fair is scheduled for May 15 to May 19, 2013, at the Old Wing Centre Court, One Utama Shopping Mall, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

The public is invited to visit the exhibition organized by the suggestion in Consumerism 15th May until 19th May 2013 located at the shopping center One Utama, Bandar Utama. Various activities and material consumption awaits. Show time is from 10am to 10pm.

The objective of this exhibition is to :
◾ increase awareness and education on consumer issues
◾ Awaken consumers about the role of the consumer movement toward consumer protection and welfare
◾ Recognizing their rights and responsibilities as consumers

It is hoped that through this exhibition, more consumers can increase their awareness of consumer issues and adopt a smart consumer.

4 Basic Rights of Consumers ☑ ✓ ✔ √

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HELLO everyone ^^ This time I'll add in some pictures to make it more interesting ~ Enjoy >-<

 

The Right to Safety

• Defense of consumers against injuries caused by products other than automobile vehicles
• Implies that products should cause no harm to their users if such use is executed as prescribed

The Right to Be Informed

• Businesses should always provide consumers with enough appropriate information 
• Product information provided by a business should always be complete and truthful
• Achieve protection against misleading information in the areas of financing, advertising, labeling, and packaging,

 

 

 

The Right to Choose

• Consumers should have a variety of options provided by different companies from which to choose

 

The Right to Be Heard

• Ability of consumers to voice complaints and concerns about a product 
• Outlets exist to aid consumers if difficulty occurs in communication with an aggrieving party

Consumer Associations of FOMCA ^...^

 

 

In Malaysia, consumer associations at state levels have to be established before they form the federation. The first four states consumers associations which carries out their respective consumer related activities are:

• Januari 1965      -   Selangor Consumer Association (SCA)
• November 1969  -   Consumer Association of Penang (CAP)
• Februari 1971    -   Consumer Association of Sarawak (CAS)
• Mac 1971            -   Consumer Association of Negeri Sembilan  (CANS)

In April 1971, a meeting held in Cameron Highlands to discuss a need to have a federation. CAP was given the honour to hold a second meeting in Pulau Pinang on Jun 1971 for final discussion on formation of a federation but it has been a failure.

 Three more consumer association has been formed, as follows:

• Julai 1971 -  Consumer Association of Kedah (CAKE)
• Mac 1972  -  Perak Consumers Association (PCA)
• May 1972  - Consumer Associations of Malacca (CAM)

Another discussion took place also to discuss about formation of a federation. Every party has agreed to form a flexible federal without the consumer associations loosing their autonomy power. Finally, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations or its acronym, (FOMCA) which was founded on 10th June 1973 in Alor Setar, Kedah .After FOMCA established, state consumer organization which has been formed are:
 

• Julai 1973  -   Johore Consumers Associations (JCA)
• Ogos 1973  -   Kelantan Consumers Associations (JCA)
• Nov 1973   -   Pahang Consumers Associations (PAC)
• Jun 1976   -   Terengganu Consumers Associations (PTR)
• Ogos 1980  -  Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan (CASH)

FOMCA formed through the merger of state consumer organizations on June 10, 1973 in Alor Setar, Kedah. This combination  become loose federation without loss of autonomy by the state consumer associations. FOMCA also joined the International Consumer Organization ( Consumers International ), which comprises more than 230 consumer organizations.