Fair and square

Bell who visited the city recently on the invitation of the Consulate General of the United States,interacted with a motley group of consumer rights activists,hospital administrators,members of accreditation agencies and ordinary citizens,sharing insights on how to inform consumers and protect them from hazardous products and unfair business practices.

“Consumer Report or any other publication of the Consumers’ Union do not carry any advertisement in their issues and are totally independent in their operations. We are a self-funded group which allows us to maintain our independence,” said Bell. The test reports are published in its magazines such as Consumer Reports and Shop Smart,and disseminated through newsletters,Internet and radio and TV shows.

A trusted source of objective information since the time of its inception in 1936,Consumers Union,working on an annual budget of $300 million,has also emerged as an influential voice in shaping public policy in the US on issues that concern consumer safety and health. Bell described the recent healthcare reforms in the US as a huge victory for consumers. “With the new law we are going to expand health insurance coverage to 40 million people,” he pointed out.

Through blogs,radio shows and stories highlighting the woes of American citizens faced with skyrocketing medical bills and no health coverage,Consumers Union had stirred up citizen action on the issue and even got to sit in on federal committees when the guidelines were being framed. “In June,Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the US House of Representatives,thanked us for the victory on healthcare reforms,” said Bell.

Bell explained that the basic motto of Consumer Union is to make the people,all of whom are consumers,aware of their fundamental consumers rights like the rights to be informed,to choose among a range of products,to the satisfaction of the basic needs,to a healthy environment and the right to redress if there is a violation of such rights. “Our aim is to reduce the number of unsafe products in the market,as far as possible,” reiterated Bell.

Every year,about 3000 products are tested in 50 laboratories of the organisation. The campaigns run by the organisation vary greatly,ranging from product and food safety to financial services reform and health care reforms,to patient safety and telecommunications.

Bell fondly recalled Consumers Union’s recent big victory — the recall of drop-side cribs that were found to break or malfunction. “We got the father of a little girl who was injured by the dangerous crib to come to Washington and tell his story to the government. He told them how the manufacturer did nothing about it despite the complaint,” said Bell.

However,Bell was appreciative of the fact that the situation is very,very different in India,where illiteracy is a major hindrance in the way of making the consumers aware.

“I understand how challenging the situation here is. I give full credit to the American consumers for coming forth and sharing their experiences with products and services,” said Bell.

“Awareness levels are much lower here,for various reasons. But I would request more of the governmental and non-governmental organisations to come forward and help people in this regard,” he added.