Tag: cooperatives and consumer empowerment

In India, it is mandatory for all food manufacturers to indicate as to whether the food item contains any non-vegetarian ingredients or not. To enable the consumer to know whether any packaged food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian, this will be indicated in the form of a brown circle in square or green circle in a square on the package. A brown circle is used to indicate the presence of non-vegetarian ingredients in the food item, while a green circle indicates that the food item is vegetarian. The green circle and brown circle in a square are indicated as veg & non-veg logos respectively.

In India, it is mandatory for all food manufacturers to indicate as to whether the food item contains any non-vegetarian ingredients or not. To enable the consumer to know whether any packaged food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian, this will be indicated in the form of a brown circle in square or green circle in a square on the package. A brown circle is used to indicate the presence of non-vegetarian ingredients in the food item, while a green circle indicates that the food item is vegetarian. The green circle and brown circle in a square are indicated as veg & non-veg logos respectively.

A part of the bill amount goes to the government which is known as Tax. The government uses this money for our welfare. Thus, the consumer has the right to complain about a product if he/she is dissatisfied with it.

AGMARK seal provided by AGMARK standard set up by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection of the Government of India in 1937, ensures quality and purity of a product. The Certification of agricultural commodities is carried out for the benefit of producer/manufacturer and consumer. All agricultural commodities that are grown or processed organically are certified under Agmark and have a symbol printed on the container. 

BIS Hallmark is a purity certification of gold and silver articles in accordance with Indian Standard specifications. The Bureau of Indian Standards, the country's apex standards body, is involved in the development of technical standards (popularly known as Indian Standards), product quality and in all matters concerning standardisation, certification and quality. Gold and silver articles are evaluated and tested at an official Assaying and Hallmarking Centre and then certified that the metal used conforms to the national and international standard of fineness and purity.

Right to Safety means the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs but also fulfil long-term interests. Before purchasing, consumers should insist on the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services. They should preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI, AGMARK, etc.

In October 2005, the Indian government passed a law known as RTI (Right to Information). It gives us the right to know about the functioning of various departments in the government offices. The basic object of the Right to Information Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in real sense. 

ISI mark is a certification mark for industrial products in India. It is the most popular and recognized certification mark in India. This mark ensures that the product conforms to the Indian standards mentioned by Indian Standard Institute. LPG Cylinders, Electrical equipment, Packaged foods and drinking water, Thermometers, Packaged Grocery items, Kitchen appliances and equipment etc are some general products with ISI mark.

The Woolmark brand is for compliant products containing wool. The Woolmark logo is a certification trademark and products that carry it is tested at independent Authorised Laboratories and approved by The Woolmark Company. The brands provide consumers with guaranteed fibre content and an assurance of quality. Thus, consumers can be assured that the products which carry the mark have been rigorously tested and awarded a mark of independent quality.

Consumer Education means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life.Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved with success.