Public Safety and Consumer Rights Organizations
Public safety is regarded as one of the most important features of consumer rights organizations. The groups derive their authority from Consumer Protection Acts, which also serve as the basis for bringing action against companies whose goods are not in the best interests of the consumer. Given the amount of times people sue manufacturers for "faulty" goods, the Act has been one of the most litigated and contentious in this respect.
The Justifiability of Consumer Protection Acts
From a personal standpoint, I conclude that their acts are justifiable and legitimate, considering the harmful implications passed on to customers as a result of multiple lawsuits. I hold the mainstream opinion that businesses, when given the chance, will do everything in order to maximize profits. This view has repeatedly been verified in real-life examples such as pharmaceutical companies failing to disclose harmful effects of drugs at the expense of human health. For instance, Glaxosmithkine – one of the world's major drug producers, recently compensated an individual who sued the company because of selling unapproved drugs (Wong, 2017). An in-depth analysis of such situations paints the picture that businesses, if not controlled could endanger consumers in a plethora of ways.
Implications of Consumer Protection Laws
Nevertheless, adopting such an ideology cannot be without implications. The high costs of litigation are then passed on towards the consumers. From an economic perspective, the costs are avoidable at the expense of human health. But again, the value of human life cannot be compared to anything in this world. The costs are a price that consumers are willing to pay to ensure that the products they consume are verified and safe. Otherwise, lack of consumer protection laws could lead the markets into anarchy, which would have long-lasting effects.
References
Wong, G. (2017, April 21). $3 million awarded to widow who sued pharmaceutical firm over husband’s suicide. Retrieved from The Chicago Tribune: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiy5pPZicrWAhWEXhoKHWFQBaEQFgg5MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagotribune.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fbreaking%2Fct-paxil-suicide-lawsuit-verdict-met-20170420-story.html&usg=AF
