Protecting Consumers’ Rights

1. Protecting Consumers’ Rights Section 1.2

2. Terms to Know Consumer advocates Redress Consumer affairs departments Consumer action panels media

3. Consumer Advocates – people or organizations who work on behalf of consumers Who is Ralph Nader?

4. Government Protection Redress-a right of the consumer is a remedy for a wrong or a loss Look at the Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

5. Federal Consumer Protection Laws Look at handout and discuss where you have seen examples of these

6. Know these Agencies ___________________________(FTC) – Enforces dishonest advertising _________________________ (CPSC) – protects the public on safety standards for household products __________________________ (USDA) -inspects and sets standards for meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables

7. Know these Agencies FTC-Federal Trade Commission – Enforces dishonest advertising Consumer Product Safety Commission – protects the public on safety standards for household products USDA-United States Department of Agriculture-inspects and sets standards for meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables

8. ____________________(FDA) Enforces labeling on food, drugs and cosmetics _________________________ (FCC) Regulates interstate and international communications by radio, tv, wire, satellite and cable. Provides info if consumers have complaints. _______________________________ (NTIA) Provides consumers choices and quality with the internet, cellular, cable service at lower prices. __________________(FCIC) Provides information to consumers on a wide range of topics through low cost publications, a web site and toll free phone assistance.

9. More Federal Agencies Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Enforces labeling on food, drugs and cosmetics Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulates interstate and international communications by radio, tv, wire, satellite and cable. Provides info if consumers have complaints. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Provides consumers choices and quality with the internet, cellular, cable service at lower prices. Federal Consumer Information Center (FCIC) Provides information to consumers on a wide range of topics through low cost publications, a web site and toll free phone assistance.

10. Exercise Go online to FCIC and select an area that interests you Read the description of the advice and report to the class what you found.

11. Consumer Groups Organizations that focus on consumer education, protection and advocacy. National Consumers League Public Citizen Consumer Action

12. Consumer Testing Agencies Consumers Union is an independent consumer testing agency that fights for consumer rights. The members buy products, test them and report to Consumer Reports

13. BBB A business and industry group that works to assist consumers. Go online and research the BBB. Where is our closest office? What other BBB Sites are there? Browse BBB OnLine Reliability Participants

14. Media Channels of mass communication like newspapers, magazines, radio, television and related web sites.

15. Questions to answer What is the underlying principle shared by advocates of the consumer movement. Explain two consumer rights and their corresponding responsibilities Name and describe two federal laws that regulate product labeling.