National Consumer Protection Week is important for raising the awareness of consumers

Cyprus International University (CIU), Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Academic Staff Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şirin Atakan Duman advised that in an effort to ensure consumers have access to healthy and quality products and services, all under conditions that are fair, while raising consumer awareness of such issues, each year National Consumer Protection Week is celebrated between 15-21 March.

Explaining that within the scope of the week, consumers were informed via various events and announcements, Duman advised that the goal is to encourage consumers to take action in protection of themselves.

In discussion of the necessary things to be done in protection of the consumer, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duman went on to state, “It is important that consumer related principles are developed aiming to protect consumers from unfair and misleading practices, for such practices to be reported via administrative controls, and for the public to be informed. It is in this way that consumers' access to quality products and services can be guaranteed”.

Advising that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, new online applications are being developed daily, and that consumers have begun to use these online applications, Duman noted that in order for consumers to conduct their online activities in a safe manner, it is important that the necessary precautions are taken swiftly, that principles and laws are taken directed at the new applications, and that the companies are audited.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duman: “Digital security must be established”

Emphasizing the need to establish digital security, Duman elaborated, "Ensuring personal information confidentiality and inspecting whether business activities are carried out based on principles of honesty has become exceedingly difficult and increasingly important”.

Informing that comprehensive legal regulations should be made in line with the changing conditions to guarantee consumer rights, and any relevant activities should be audited, with the necessary infrastructure being established, Duman went on to say, "However, the consumers being informed and raising their awareness is equally as important."

Duman concluded, ‘It is at this point that National Consumer Protection Week is very important. It is important to emphasize the issue via various activities conducted throughout the week, warning consumers with relation to the dangers they may face, informing them of their rights, and to promote and encourage ethical practices”.