World Consumer Day | 20 Mar 2020

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs observed the World Consumer Day (15^th March) by organizing a webinar on, ‘The Sustainable Consumer’.

Every year 15^th March is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day.
However, India celebrates 24^th December as National Consumer Day every year.
- On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President and came into effect.
The webinar was organized in place of a physical event to maintain social distancing in the wake of COVID19 pandemic.

Theme:
- The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2020 is ‘The Sustainable Consumer’.
- The theme aims to focus on the need for sustainable consumption globally, as well as highlighting the important role that consumer rights and protection can play.
Objectives:
- It signifies solidarity in the international consumer movement, demanding that consumer rights are to be respected and protected.
- The event also gives a chance to protest against the market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.
Background:
- World Consumer Rights Day was inspired by US President John F Kennedy, who sent a special message to the US Congress on 15^th March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. He was the first world leader to do so.
- The consumer movement first marked that date in 1983 and now uses the day every year to mobilise action on important issues and campaigns.