"Consumer protection is the practice of safeguarding buyers of goods and services, and the public, against unfair practices in the marketplace."
This subfield focuses on promoting consumer rights and protecting consumers from fraudulent or unethical business practices.
Consumer Protection Laws: This topic covers the various laws put in place to protect consumers from unfair business practices and fraudulent activities.
Consumer Rights: This topic covers the rights that consumers have when purchasing goods and services, including the right to safety, information, choice, and redress.
Consumer Complaints Handling: This topic covers the process of handling consumer complaints, including how to resolve disputes and provide effective customer service.
Product Safety: This topic covers the measures taken by businesses to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to use, and the regulatory framework surrounding this.
Advertising and Marketing: This topic covers the rules and guidelines surrounding advertising and marketing, including ethical considerations and the use of false advertising.
Consumer Advocacy: This topic covers the various organizations and individuals who work to promote and protect the interests of consumers, including advocacy groups and government agencies.
Consumer Education: This topic covers the need for consumer education and the benefits of educating consumers on their rights and responsibilities, financial literacy, and social responsibility.
Consumer Behavior: This topic covers the study of how consumers make purchasing decisions, including the factors that influence their behavior and the role of advertising and marketing.
Ethical Consumerism: This topic covers the concept of ethical consumerism, including the environmental and social impacts of consumption and the importance of sustainable and socially responsible practices.
Consumer Privacy: This topic covers the importance of protecting consumer privacy, including the collection, use, and storage of personal information by businesses and the laws and regulations surrounding this.
"Such laws are intended to prevent businesses from engaging in fraud or specified unfair practices to gain an advantage over competitors or to mislead consumers."
"They may also provide additional protection for the general public which may be impacted by a product (or its production) even when they are not the direct purchaser or consumer of that product."
"Government regulations may require businesses to disclose detailed information about their products—particularly in areas where public health or safety is an issue, such as with food or automobiles."
"They help consumers make better choices in the marketplace and pursue complaints against businesses."
"Entities that promote consumer protection include government organizations [...] self-regulating business organizations [...] and non-governmental organizations that advocate for consumer protection laws and help to ensure their enforcement."
"A consumer is defined as someone who acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership rather than for resale or use in production and manufacturing."
"Consumer interests can also serve consumers, consistent with economic efficiency, but this topic is treated in competition law."
"Consumer protection can also be asserted via non-government organizations and individuals as consumer activism."
"The right to satisfaction of basic needs."
"The right to safety."
"The right to be informed."
"The right to choose."
"The right to be heard."
"The right to redress."
"The right to consumer education."
"The right to a healthy environment."
"Consumer interests can also serve consumers, consistent with economic efficiency, but this topic is treated in competition law."
"...non-governmental organizations that advocate for consumer protection laws and help to ensure their enforcement."
"Government regulations may require businesses to disclose detailed information about their products—particularly in areas where public health or safety is an issue, such as with food or automobiles."