Consumer Rights Protection Movement Turns 15

World Consumer Rights Day is marked today. The Russian movement for consumer rights' protection is turning 15 this year. It was given a start back in the Soviet times, when the first Club for Consumer Rights' Protection was established in 1988 in Leningrad (St.Petersburg). It was followed by the creation of the Russian Consumer Societies' Federation, to be transformed in 1992 into the International Confederation of Consumer Societies that included Russia and other republics of the former USSR.

In February 1992, a law "On consumer rights protection" was first adopted in Russia. It outlined the consumer rights of the citizens, as well as the obligations of organizations engaged in trade or services.

Annual public opinion polls show that in recent years Russian Federation citizens have grown more resolute to defend their consumer rights in case of their violation. The majority of consumers are ready to stand up for their rights today. The efficiency of consumer rights protection has increased, too. The majority of sellers, goods manufacturers and service providers are ready to satisfy their customers' lawful demands upon presentation of competently compiled claims, trying to avoid appeals to courts.

In experts' opinion, however, defence of consumer rights in courts is still topical for this country.