5.01-A Students will be able to
understand the rights and
responsibilities of consumers.
What adjective describes
these bananas?
 What basic consumer
rights are protected by
law?
 What does it mean to be
a responsible consumer?
Rights of consumers were first identified by
President John F. Kennedy in a message to Congress
in 1962. Later presidents have added additional
rights to this “Consumer Bill of Rights.”
Activist against corporate carelessness and greed, Ralph
Nader brought attention to products that were not safe
for consumers. He gained national attention in 1965
with his book, “Unsafe at Any Speed”. Known as “Father
of the Consumer Movement”
A basic set of protections, agreed upon by society and
written into law, apply to purchases of merchandise and
services in the United States. These rights of consumers
include:
1. Right to be safe
5. Right to redress
2. Right to be
6. Right to consumer
informed
3. Right to choose
products and
services
4. Right to be heard
education
7. Right to service
8. Right to a healthy
environment
Types of activities a consumer is expected to perform as
part of a purchase decision. Each consumer
responsibility parallels a consumer right.
To use products safely
To find and use
information
3. To choose purchases
carefully
4. To speak up
1.
2.
To seek redress
To learn
To reward good
service
8. To promote a healthy
& caring relationship
with the environment
5.
6.
7.
To protect their rights in the marketplace, consumers should:
 Be their own advocates
 Look out for their own interests as a consumer with
rights
 Be aware of the steps to take to resolve problems with
products/services
 Be aware of organizations that assist consumers in
resolving complaints
 Know when to seek help
Sources of consumer protection
 Government agencies-
--federal and state
 Merchant services
 Consumer advocate
groups
 Clayton Antitrust Act
 Clean Air Act
 Clean Water Act
 CPSA-Consumer Product Safety
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Act
EEOC-Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
EPA- Environmental Protection
Agency
FCC- Federal Communications
Commission
FDA – Food and Drug
Administration
FLSA – Fair Labor Standards Act
FPLA -Fair Packaging & Labeling
Act
FTC -Federal Trade Commission
 ICC -Interstate Commerce
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Commission
NLRB - National Labor Relations
Board
OSHA - Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
Patent and Trademark Office
Robinson-Patman Act
IRS -Internal Revenue Service
TILA - Truth in Lending Act
UCC –Uniform Commercial Code
USDA - United States Dept of
Agriculture
USPS – United States Postal
Service
 Justice Department -
Enforces the laws to
maintain free trade
 BBB -Better Business
Bureau
 Consumer Reports
 Local News Connects
 Ex: Action 9
 Angie’s List
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Consumer Reports is published by Consumer’s
Union, which is one example of a consumer advocacy
group.
Where else might you go to get consumer
information before making a purchase?
What is a consumer advocate?
www.consumerreports.org
Components of
a successful
complaint letter
 Greeting/salutation
 Opening
 Body
 Closure
Refer to Sample Letter