Consumer Rights — Standardisation & Duties

🏷️ Standardisation (Why & How)

🏛️ The government has set up institutions to maintain minimum standards of goods/services.
🧪 By standardising products, the government safeguards customers from poor quality and varying standards.

✅ Mark / Body	What it Ensures	Notes
BIS – Bureau of Indian Standards	Sets standards for industrial & consumer goods on a scientific basis and certifies compliance.	Surprise inspections & sample testing ensure regular surveillance. If not satisfied with a certified product, you can lodge a complaint at the nearest BIS office.
Agmark	Certification for agricultural produce; assures conformity to grade standards.	Notified by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Ministry of Agriculture. Seen on honey, masala, spices, etc.
Eco Mark	Mark for products that are ecologically safe and meet specified standards.	Issued by BIS.
Wool Mark	Quality mark referenced along with other standards marks.	Shown as an example of common product marks.

🔍 Process: Surprise inspections & sample testing are used to check that products continue to meet specifications.

🔎 Check before you buy: verify quality, marked price (MRP), and guarantee/warranty period.
🏷️ Choose standardised items with marks like ISI or Agmark.
🧾 Ask for a cash memo and a warranty card for all purchases/services.
📚 Know your rights & responsibilities as a consumer.
🤝 Form/join consumer awareness groups to get representation in government committees.
🆘 If deceived/cheated, know how to proceed (file a complaint / approach consumer courts).

📅 National Consumers’ Day: 24 December (COPRA enacted in 1986 on this day).

Consumer: Final user of a purchased product/service.
Consumer Exploitation: When a consumer is deceived in any way.
Consumer Awareness: Knowing one’s rights and the legal/social obligations of business/government.
Consumer Courts: Special courts under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 for protecting consumer interests.
Consumer Protection Act, 1986: Key law safeguarding consumer rights.
Agmark: Quality mark for agricultural/livestock products.
ISI: Standards–compliance mark for industrial products in India (often on consumer durables, electronics).
BIS Mark (Hallmark): Hallmark for gold & silver jewellery certifying purity.
FPO: Certification mark for the processed food industry (hygiene & sanitation).
Eco Mark: BIS certification for ecologically safe products.
Standardization: Setting quality standards for goods & services.
Adulteration: Adding/removing substances so that the natural composition/quality of food is affected.