This March 15th, Orangutan Alliance would like to recognise World Consumer Rights Day 2018. A time to bring awareness across the world to unsafe, unfair and unethical practices that affect consumers.
“Do we really need always to be able to just get anything we want at any time just because we pay money for it? And do we ever think about the often forced child labour that’s been used to grow some of these foods so that we can get them cheaply because the labour is cheap or even not paid for at all?”
Dr Jane Goodall,Environmentalist, Researcher (Chimpanzees)
Consumers International (for almost 60 years) has been tirelessly campaigning for consumer rights all over the world, and we at Orangutan Alliance are especially interested in consumer rights relating to the ethical conduct of producers and promoting sustainable consumption.
So what are consumer rights?
Apart from the fundamental right to access essentials (sufficient food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation); consumer rights also include the right to be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardous to health or life.
And who polices consumer rights?
In a sense we all do. Consumer Rights are outlined in the United Nations Guidelines on Consumer Protection and are recognised internationally by the governments of UN member nations. But it’s up to us to let our governments know we take those consumer rights very seriously.
Orangutan Alliance is a consumer interest group
As a consumer interest and and product certification organisation, Orangutan Alliance is currently advocating for greater transparency in product labeling. We believe consumers have the right to know exactly which ingredients are used in the products we buy, as well as how they have been sourced.
If you’ve been following our work you’ll know that we are raising awareness on the environmental costs of conflict palm oil and in the absence of transparency consider palm oil free options. In several countries, it’s almost impossible to know if palm oil has been used or even how its sourced during manufacturing.
What are these funny names listed below?
Oh they’re just a few of the MORE THAN 200 ways palm oil can be listed on a product label. Why not use World Consumer Rights Day to write to your local member of government and ask that palm oil be clearly labeled on consumer products and refer to your own rights to be given the facts needed to make an informed choice.
GLYCERIN
GLYCERIN OR GLYCEROL (442)
GLYCERYL DISTEARATE
ISOPROPYL PALMITATE
ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE
SORBITAN ISOTEARATE
SORBITAN LAURATE
SORBITAN MONOGLYCERIDE
SORBITAN MONOLAURATE
+ 200 more
Sustainable Consumption
Consumers International and World Consumer Rights Day also promotes sustainable consumption (which we at Orangutan Alliance also support). Sustainable consumption is all about doing more with less and being a more responsible consumer.
“There is no definitive way to be a ‘sustainable and responsible consumer’. This can simply mean reconsidering a purchase; fixing or reusing an existing product; or choosing a product certified as having a beneficial environmental or social impact.”
Consumers International
Orangutan Alliance PALM OIL FREE Certification
Consumers International suggest that choosing products certified for positive social impact is a big part of being a sustainable and responsible consumer. If you aren’t already aware, Orangutan Alliance can certify consumer food, household and beauty products as 100% palm oil free. Why not use World Consumer Rights Day 2018 as your catalyst for change. Switch to ethical brands or fully traceable supply chains. Take a stand against deforestation. And a stand for the future safety of orangutans and other vulnerable species.
Take a stand for consumers everywhere
Orangutan Alliance is all about the promotion of consumer rights, ethical trading, clear product labellng of palm oil. To find out more about our work and Orangutan Alliance Palm Oil Free Certification, read our blogs or visit our website www.orangutanalliance.org. Choose with your BUY. Join us.
