Shri Pralhad Joshi’s message on World Consumer Rights Day

India’s Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, gave a virtual speech on World Consumer Rights Day 2025, emphasizing the nation’s efforts in eco-labelling, consumer safeguarding, and combating greenwashing. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainability and consumer well-being. The Department of Consumer Affairs arranged a webinar titled “A Fair Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles.”

Shri Joshi highlighted the need to ensure that sustainable lifestyle options are available and affordable for every consumer, while tackling climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution. He commended the Department of Consumer Affairs and CCPA for establishing guidelines and enacting the Consumer Protection E-commerce Rules, 2020, and lauded their proactive efforts for consumer protection in the e-commerce industry.

The Minister commended the E-Daakhil portal and e-Jagriti for safeguarding consumers, lauded the BIS for its quality control mandates, gold jewellery hallmarking, and the recall of inferior products. He commended the BIS for releasing 180 QCOs and carrying out eco mark initiatives. He emphasized the significance of consumer awareness, encouraging reduce, reuse, and recycle for sustainable methods and adhering to Mahatma Gandhi’s zero-carbon way of living.

India’s Prime Minister has launched the Mission LiFE, with the goal of transforming the ‘use-and-dispose’ economy into a ‘circular economy’. Shri B.L. Verma, Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, along with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, emphasized the significance of this day in honoring and safeguarding consumer rights. Secretary Nidhi Khare highlighted the importance of affordability and a fair shift to sustainable living, while also starting conversations on the Right to Repair.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued guidelines for greenwashing prevention and regulation, facilitated refunds for COVID-19 air tickets, launched a Safety Pledge for e-commerce platforms, and expanded the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 2.0. The Bureau of Indian Standards and Legal Metrology conducts market surveys to ensure product quality. A webinar focused on sustainable lifestyle issues, including ‘A Right to Repair Framework’ and ‘Time Dissemination’.