Days Until World Consumer Rights Day

About World Consumer Rights Day

March 15 marks the anniversary of a 1962 speech by US President John F. Kennedy to Congress, in which he formally outlined four basic consumer rights, a speech widely credited as a foundational moment for the modern consumer rights movement.

Consumers International, a federation of consumer advocacy groups, has organized the day since 1983, using it to raise awareness of consumer rights issues and mobilize action against consumer abuses.

Kennedy's original 1962 speech outlined the rights to safety, information, choice, and to be heard; consumer advocacy groups have since informally added rights to redress, education, and a healthy environment to that founding list.

Consumers International's membership today spans consumer advocacy organizations from well over 100 countries, giving the day's coordinated messaging a genuinely global rather than regionally concentrated reach.