Blog Post by Karun Tyagi

World Consumer Rights Day is an annual global celebration conducted on March 15th to raise consumer rights awareness and inspire activism to safeguard them. Consumer rights and sustainability are closely interconnected in the fashion industry. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, and it is also associated with labor abuses, human rights violations, and unethical practices Transparency and traceability are crucial in the fashion business for protecting consumer rights, especially in terms of ethical and sustainable production processes.

Transparency refers to the availability of information regarding fashion goods’ production processes, labour conditions, and environmental impact. Transparency in the fashion sector entails informing customers about the materials used, the origin of the products, and the manufacturing techniques utilised to manufacture them.

Traceability, on the other hand, is the ability to follow a thing from its beginning to its end. Traceability in the fashion business is ensuring that consumers can trace the products they purchase back to their source and that the production process follows ethical and sustainable practises.

Transparency and traceability are vital for consumer rights in the fashion sector because they enable consumers to make educated purchasing decisions based on their beliefs and preferences.

Consumer rights and sustainability in the fashion industry are important for several reasons:

1. Transparency: Consumers have the right to access clear and accurate information about the products they buy, including information about the environmental and social impact of the products. Sustainable fashion brands are often more transparent about their production processes, materials, and labor practices, enabling consumers to make more informed choices.
2. Environmentally responsible production: Consumers have the right to expect fashion brands to minimize their environmental impact and reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainable fashion brands use eco-friendly materials, reduce waste, and minimize the use of chemicals and water in production.
3. Fair labor practices: Consumers have the right to expect fashion brands to operate in an ethical and socially responsible manner, including fair labor practices and safe working conditions. Sustainable fashion brands often prioritize the well-being of workers and pay fair wages.
4. Recycling and circularity: Consumers have the right to expect fashion brands to promote circularity and recycling by using recycled materials and designing products that can be easily recycled or repurposed at the end of their life cycle.
5. Reducing overconsumption: Consumers have the right to be informed about the impact of their consumption habits and to choose products that are sustainable and ethically produced. Sustainable fashion brands often promote slow fashion, which is based on quality over quantity and encourages consumers to buy less but better quality clothing.

In the context of the fashion industry, consumer rights and environmentally responsible production are intrinsically linked. Supporting sustainable businesses, demanding openness, and making choices based on accurate information are all ways in which consumers can play an essential part in the promotion of sustainability in the fashion industry. The responsibility to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, as well as the responsibility to place a priority on consumer rights and sustainability, falls additionally on the shoulders of fashion firms.