IN 1962, former US president John F. Kennedy made a historic speech to the US Congress and became the first world leader to formally address the issue of consumer rights. He outlined four basic consumer rights which later became The Consumer Bill of Rights. World Consumer Rights Day is held on March 15 annually to honour Kennedy.

The four consumer rights are:

> The right to safety

> The right to be informed

> The right to choose

> The right to be heard

Later, Consumers International added four more rights:

> The right to satisfaction of basic needs

> The right to redress

> The right to consumer education

> The right to a healthy environment