Protecting Consumers’ Rights

Beijing Youth Daily March 16

Complaints pertaining to consumption during the epidemic are revealing various problems in the market. They are also an indicator of local authorities’ emergency strategies.

According to data released by the China Consumers Association on March 15, the organization received over 180,000 complaints related to the epidemic between January 20 and February 29. The top three causes for complaint were price, contracts and quality, accounting for nearly 45 percent, 19.5 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively.

In response to people’s dissatisfaction, the government has increased the supply of necessities such as pork and vegetables, with complementary efforts by companies to meet people’s demands. Market regulators at national and provincial levels have introduced regulations to stabilize prices. In terms of masks, authorities have cracked down on manufacture and distribution of low-quality products. New challenges continue to emerge during the epidemic. For scarce commodities, such as masks and disinfectants, protecting consumers’ rights has traditionally focused on whether people can access products. Yet the current crisis has lowered people’s requirements on product quality. Restricted by certain controls, testing institutions are also finding it difficult to provide comprehensive services.

This is an opportunity for many departments to realize and address their problems.