Consumer Law is a branch of law that is created to provide protection on consumers. This law also provide the consumers with formal legal procedure of obtaining solutions or alternatives on damages resulted from faulty products. Consumer Law covers wide variety of topics that include certain types of contracts, consumer privacy, quality standards, and warranties. The objective of this law is to ensure that the rights of the consumers are clearly explained and that the manufacturers of the products or services are clearly aware of their responsibilities to the consumers in accordance to the law.
The enactment of the Consumer Law began during the early 20th century when a series of scandals about contaminated food emerged. Because of this, the Pure Food & Drug Act was passed. This act also covers numerous other measures for the protection and welfare of the consumers. Before this act was made and passed, companies or manufacturers are free to include any ingredients they prefer on their products whether it is toxic or not for the consumers. In addition, they can also create numerous claims on their products without facing any legal penalties. Companies can also use the consumer information in whatever ways they desire. Apparently, these exploitations came to the concern of many state government, thus they decided to enact the Consumer Law for the consumers’ protection.
Much of the topics covered by the Consumer law are concerned with the product labeling and safety. All manufactured products need to pass safety tests as well as the basic safety standards. Manufacturers are required to have a recall system readily available in any event of identified safety issues.
When it comes to product labeling, the Consumer Law is strict about it. The health claims indicated on every product label must be evaluated by the government agencies. All nutritional information and ingredients on the label must be clearly listed as safe foods. The product labels of the products must contain information about the name of the manufacturer, the place where the product is manufactured, and contact information on how and where consumers can contact the manufacturer for any complaints.
Another large topic covered by the Consumer Law is the consumer credit. This topic ensures that the consumers are well-informed about their credit issues and the lending or credit card companies are handling the consumer information in responsible ways.
Topics about return policies, service agreements, and warranties are also covered by the Consumer Law. Consumers are provided with legal options in dealing with companies that refuse to honor agreements or create false claims. The legal options may include filing formal complaints with the private organizations and government agencies that have consumer advocacies.
The Consumer Law is designed to ensure free flow of honest information and fair competition in the marketplace. It is also designed to prevent businesses or companies that are engage in frauds or illegal practices of taking advantage other competitors. The law also protects the interests of the consumers by promoting competitions in the markets that indirectly and directly serve the consumers.