Consumers' Right to Education in Georgia and EU States
Keywords:
Consumers' Right to Education, The UN Resolution № 39.248, Draft LawAbstract
Today, consumers participate in many markets, where the flow of information, also, a wide range of products and services are available. In general, makers of products and services, as well as suppliers, have market power and informative advantage compared to consumers, who are hardly aware of the important terms and conditions of the proposed services and products. This feature of the markets naturally forces state governments to increase the level of financial education of consumers.
Generally, consumers' education can develop critical thinking, increase customers’ awareness and enhance their activity. Today consumers’ education covers many areas. In particular, the rights and obligations of the parties, issues of personal financing, the rules of proper use of products, the use of digital technologies, etc. So it comes out, that consumers’ education is a difficult
process.
Last time, the European Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development surveyed various states and identified the problems in regards to consumer education (customers’ scant awareness towards consumer issues; absence of educational strategies and legal mechanism, as well as limitation of relevant resources). Unfortunately, Georgia still faces such challenges, which are caused by flawed legislation, weak cooperation between authorized agencies or organizations and not having links with similar foreign institutions; Also, the passivity of the private sector.
Considering all these factors, Consumers' Right to Education is a substantial legal issue. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to analyze national, international regulations and established practices; identify existing legal problems and suggest procedures for their consecutive elimination. To achieve this goal, comparative-legal and analytical research methods will be used.
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