World Consumer Rights Day Date in the current year: March 15, 2024

The idea of an observance dedicated to consumer rights was first proposed by Anwal Fazal, a consumer rights activist from Malaysia. He chose the date of March 15 because it was the anniversary of John F. Kennedy's 1962 speech on consumer rights. In this speech Kennedy formulated four basic consumer rights that are now referred to as the Consumer Bill of Rights:

• the right to safety;
• the right to be informed;
• the right to choose;
• the right to be heard.

In 1985, the United Nations added four more basic rights:

• the right to satisfaction of basic needs;
• the right to redress;
• the right to consumer education;
• the right to a healthy environment.

Fazal's idea was supported by the non-governmental organization Consumers International, and on March 15, 1983 World Consumer Rights Day was first held. Participants observe the day by demanding that basic consumer rights are respected and protected. They also protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine the rights of consumers.