18 Rights and Responsibilities CHAPTER 18 Consumer Choices

18 Rights and Responsibilities CHAPTER 18 Consumer Choices: Rights and Responsibilities

18 Rights and Responsibilities Rights and responsibilities A right is something to which you are entitled, e. g. an education, shelter, equality, liberty, etc. A responsibility is something for which you are accountable, e. g. obeying the law, making good decisions, etc. 2

18 Rights and Responsibilities Consumer rights • • • The right to honest information. The right to choice. The right to value for money. The right to quality. The right to safety. The right to redress: Ø Repair Ø Replacement Ø Refund. 3

18 Rights and Responsibilities Consumer responsibilities • To inform yourself about goods and services, so that you can choose wisely. • To understand the balance between cost and quality. • To read labels and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. • To know your rights. • To know consumer law. • To complain about faulty goods and services. • To avoid wasting resources and protect the environment. 4

18 Rights and Responsibilities Manufacturer’s symbols Quality symbols include: • Guaranteed Irish • Q Mark • National Standards Authority of Ireland certification marks • Kitemark. 5

18 Rights and Responsibilities Hazardous materials symbols • Toxic – can cause death if swallowed, breathed in, absorbed, e. g. bleach • Highly flammable – catches fire easily, e. g. petrol, diesel • Harmful – similar to toxic, not as dangerous, e. g. cleaning agents • Corrosive – attacks and destroys living tissues like skin and eyes, e. g. bleach, cleaning agents • Explosive – if treated incorrectly it may explode, e. g. gas • Irritant – not corrosive but will make the skin red or blister, e. g. bleach, cleaning products • Dangerous for the environment – highlights that the product is dangerous for the environment 6

18 Rights and Responsibilities Key words for revision • • • • • Accountable Advice Choice Compensation Competition Corrosive Entitled Explosive Harmful Highly flammable 7 Irritant Monopoly Redress Refund Repair Replacement Responsibilities Rights Safety Toxic