Problem
Consumer vulnerability
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Inadequate consumer protectionUnprotected consumers
Unwary customers
Nature:
Consumers are vulnerable to practices such as: inaccurate use of weights and measures; use of dangerous additives and preservatives in foodstuffs; lack of control of insecticides, pesticides and drug pre-testing; unsafe products (for example, unsafe toys, tyres, television sets and inflammable carpeting); fraudulent and misleading advertising; meaningless product guarantees and warranties; inadequate servicing and complaint handling facilities; inadequate indication of product quality, characteristics and degree of safety; lack of impartial testing services to evaluate and publicize the performance of competing products; uncontested price increases. The range of 'products' consumers can be abused on are: private goods such as cooking stoves; environmental goods like air and water systems; public services such as health or defence; government services in law making; tax-gathering and administration; and moral 'goods', for example the principle of protecting workers' health.
Broader Problems:
Lack of protection for the vulnerable Narrower Problems:
Dangerous toysUnsafe aircraftIncorrect labellingPlanned obsolescenceToxic food additivesHigh cost of housingMedication side effectsDecreasing consumer choiceInadequate equipment maintenanceUnsafe design of consumer productsManufacture of substandard productsConsumer vulnerability on the internetContinued operation of unsafe motor vehiclesNon-payment of compensation for damages to consumersInsensitivity of transnational corporations to consumer needs Related Problems:
Food insecurity Specious measures for environmental protection Aggravates:
DefenceMisleading advertisingUnethical consumption practicesMisrepresentation of information to consumersFood insecurity Reduced By:
Consumer dissatisfactionStrategies:
Protecting consumers References:
Bourgoignie, Thierry, et al: Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts: legal treatment, effective implementation and final impact on the consumer: proceedings of the second European Workshop on Consumer LawTaperell, G Q; Vermeesch, R B and Harland, D J: Trade Practices and Consumer ProtectionUnited Nations: Guidelines for Consumer Protection Subject(s):
Amenities → ConsumersSocietal Problems → Inadequacy
Societal Problems → Protection
Societal Problems → Vulnerability
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
C: Cross-sectoral problems Date of last update
16.04.2019 – 16:35 CEST