Muhammad Yahya Ahmed

Minhas
LLB-9
Consumer protection laws
Submitted to: Mam Nadia
Khaddam

Contents
Objectives........................................................................................................2
General principles............................................................................................3
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Guidelines........................................................................................................4
Physical Safety.................................................................................................4
Standards of safety & economic interests.......................................................5
Education and redress.....................................................................................5
Sustainable consumption.................................................................................6

United Nations guidelines for

consumer protection

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Objectives
Under the document there are various objectives set out by the United
Nations to safeguard and secure the interests and rights of consumers. Any
person who is availing or getting some kind of service or goods is a
consumer. Goods may include edibles as well as the non-edibles. Some of
the examples are food, medicines, and electronic devices like laptops, mobile
phones and services which includes any kind of service. i.e., Hotel service,
delivery service etc.
It is the aim and objective of United Nations to set out the guidelines
for the states who in return would legislate and make sure that the rights and
interests of the consumers are protected. Similarly, the focus has been made
on the under devolved countries.
Following are the main objectives set out by the Unites Nations
guidelines for consumer protection.
a.

To assist the states in attaining the protection for their

consumers.
b.
To facilitate the production and distribution as per the
needs of the consumers in different markets.
c.
To make sure that ethical standards are maintained while
interacting with the consumers.
d.
To curtail the abusive business practices in all countries
e.
To facilitate the development of independent consumer
groups, And
f.
To promote sustainable consumption

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General principles
Government should oversee and make a strong consumer protection
policy, while taking into the consideration of the guidelines set out.
Governments should make it a priority to secure the rights and interests of
the consumers in accordance with the economic, social and environmental
circumstances of the country. Those countries which are more developed and
are a welfare state must make it an utmost priority to develop a long lasting
policy and those under developed countries should also legislate on the
matter to attract foreign investment, which would be helpful to their
economy.
Following measures must be taken by the governments of the states.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Protection of consumer from hazards of any kind.

Protection of the economic interests of the consumer
Adequate information is to be given
Consumer education should be made compulsory
And availability of effective consumer redress.

In case of any breach of right of a consumer proper forum should be

available to redress his losses. And education in this regard is very
necessary. Ignorance of law is no excuse. But complete and honest disclosure
is also not an option. It is necessary and compulsory.

Guidelines
The main the foremost important guideline for the states and their
respective governments is to make sure that they do not make or be a part
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of or even support any legislation or prerogative which becomes the barrier

to the international trade.
The purpose of the document is to equip states with the tools to make
their own laws to secure the interests of the consumers. While doing so, they
in any circumstances, be a barrier to international trade. International trade
is the right of every state unless Security Council has put any sanctions on
them. Other than the imposition by Security Council, no state or government
can be a hurdle in the international trade.
Before 2016, UNSC had put sanctions on the Iran following the whole
uranium episode. As a result Iran had been cut off from the international
trade and as a result the economy of Iran took a huge leap downwards. Iran
being an oil rich country can survive but cannot afford to enjoy much of
luxury.

Physical Safety
The goods or products must be ensured of their safety by the
government. Edibles like fruits, milk, and meat are often subject to certain
time before they go bad or are non-usable. In this regard appropriate policies
and legislation must be made to ensure the safety and foreseeable use of
such products.
Additionally, if the manufacturers or distributers see any foreseeable
fault or hazard, they must inform the general public as soon as possible. The
lives of the consumers value over everything. Government must make
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policies where if any good is non usable then they must be either replaced or
the consumer has been appropriately redressed.

Standards of safety & economic interests

Governments must ensure the safety of products and their use as well.
If any consumers has been wronged, a proper compensation should be made
in order to curtail such practices. Products like food and medicines cannot
afford to be of any low quality or standards. Government must make sure
their availability and their price and quality control as well.
Proper licenses should be issued to pharmaceutical distributers and
pharmacies. Any person trying to sell any medicine without license is subject
to penalties.

Education and redress

Governments should create the forums where the proper education
regarding the products, its usage and its expiration is provided to the
consumers. Most of the people dont know about the agricultural products if
they dont have any agricultural background. It the duty of government to
make sure that no person is deprived of any such information which could
possibly save his life.
In case of poor or hazardous quality of any product or commodity, a
proper forum needs to be present to redress the loss of the consumer. In

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Pakistan, consumer courts have been created which is solely given the task
of hearing the matters pertaining to consumers and their claims.
Additionally, the weight, measures and other forms of measurement
should be informed to the people. Prices must be controlled and should be
justly as per the weight and measurements.

Sustainable consumption
Government should also educate its citizens to go green and save the
energy so that it could be sustained for the future. Products like oil, gas,
diesel and other forms of burning energies must be used and consumed very
carefully. A proper sustainable plan or policy should be made to make it a
reality.
Governments should also focus more on the other forms of energies.
I.e., solar power or coal etc. in this way the other forms of energies which are
getting short day by day will be sustained for the future.
The parliament of Pakistan is the only parliament in the world which is
completely run on the solar power. No electricity is used from any grid
station. Thus giving more to the people, taking out the pressure from the
national grid station and saving at the same time.

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