On Friday (March, 13), Saint Lucia proudly joined the global community in celebrating World Consumer Rights Day, focusing this year on the theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers.”
The Consumer Affairs Department (CAD) has announced a special observance of World Consumer Rights Day on March 13, featuring a grand symposium and exhibition at Derek Walcott Square in Castries.
This annual event emphasizes the fundamental rights of consumers while advocating for their protection and respect. This year’s focus on product safety aims to ensure that every item sold in Saint Lucia meets established safety standards, fostering consumer trust and contributing to national economic stability.
A representative from the CAD highlighted that consumers are the largest contributors to economic growth, influencing nearly all public and economic decisions, yet their voices often go unheard.
Citing a historic moment, he noted that on March 15, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed the U.S. Congress to advocate for consumer rights, marking the beginning of the consumer movement celebrated globally on this date. The event serves to raise public awareness about consumer rights and needs.
The official stated, “We join the global community in observing World Consumer Rights Day under the theme: ‘Safe Products, Confident Consumers.’ This theme emphasizes that consumer protection extends beyond complaints and price regulation; it encompasses safety, dignity, fairness, and trust.”
The symposium was designed as an interactive experience for all families. The public was warmly invited to join the CAD team and its partners for a day of learning, engagement, and community involvement.