World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Sustainability, Trust and Greater Access in Digital Age

World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Sustainability as a Path to Equity

The UNCTAD marks World Consumer Rights Day on March 15 to meet the needs (for goods and services) of present and future generations that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Global consumer movement and other doyens will come on the same page for the theme “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles.” The theme for 2025 is a clarion call to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices accessible, available and affordable for all.

A sustainable lifestyle is an invaluable cog amidst burgeoning population, ceaseless pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. A stitch in time with a just transition will save a nine, providing a robust pathway towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change asserts that action on consumption (or demand-side strategies) can cut GHG emissions by 40%-70% by 2050.

A 2023 report published by Consumers International with GlobeScan found that 94% of consumers supported the shift to a more sustainable lifestyle (green economy) and more than 80% hold businesses, governments and global institutions responsible for implementing the changes required.

Influential stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders are curious about how consumer rights will evolve in 2025 and beyond. Predominantly,

• Sustainable living will be a primary focus at COP30 in Brazil.

• In December 2025, UNEA-7 will assess the progress of a historic resolution passed on “Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles” at UNEA-6 in March 2024.

In light of these mega-events lined up this year, consumer rights in the digital age become indispensable.

Combating Real Consumer Issues in the E-commerce World

The e-commerce industry is inundated with counterfeit products, fake/paid reviews, fraudulent terms and conditions, financial fraud, collection and use of data, defective products and greenwashing. Inevitably, consumer complaints have risen by leaps and bounds. Citing the Colorado Attorney General’s Office report, Denver7 noted that Coloradans filed 24,473 complaints in 2024, an uptick from 20,390 in 2023. Interestingly, retail sales (1,673) accounted for the highest number of complaints, followed by professional services (1,376). It suggests a challenging time for e-commerce in the B2C sector.

To underscore consumer protection, the WTO has recommended:

• Specific regulations for greater transparency and fairness;

• Assessment and, if required, revision of existing legal and policy frameworks to digital market challenges;

• International, regional and bilateral cooperation to address global challenges;

• Enhanced collaborations and consultations between different authorities.

Emerging economies such as India paint a buoyant picture for the B2B and B2C e-commerce sectors. An Invest India report alludes that India could have a projected 500 million shoppers by 2030. Add to it the bullish forecast of the Asian giant becoming the third-largest online retail market by 2030. In January 2025, the Indian government proposed draft e-commerce guidelines, banning preferential treatment, enforcing strict data protection compliance and outlining transparent contract terms along with pre-transaction KYC for sellers.

Aside from B2C, the B2B e-commerce market is expected to gain a foothold as B2B marketplaces become increasingly sought-after across emerging and advanced economies. In a similar vein, consumer rights, as illustrated below, become pivotal in the business-to-business ecosystem.

• Right to fair pricing;

• Right to seek redressal;

• Right to timely delivery;

• Right to return and exchange;

• Right to safety;

• Right to transparent terms and conditions.

These rights are by no means an exhaustive list. The rise of the B2B landscape on the back of digitization has put the spotlight on consumer rights as stakeholders vie to unlock sustainable living amidst data privacy issues.

Internet of Things in Retail: Securing Personal Data

With billions of connected devices on the market, IoT has become a game changer for consumers (with immersive and personalized experience). Customers want retailers to bring their goods and services to where they live, work and play; however, smart devices have become vulnerable to cyber risks. Against the backdrop of the prevailing situation, stakeholders have reportedly backed consumer IoT devices. To illustrate, in February 2022, leaders from Consumers Internationals, I Am the Cavalry and Cybersecurity Tech Accord—under the aegis of World Economic Forum’s Council of the Connected World—joined forces to recognize an emerging consensus on baseline cybersecurity provisions for consumer IoT devices.

Amidst the prevalence of insecure IoT devices, the global baseline may be the light at the end of the tunnel for a more trusted and resilient digital future. Similarly, the global consensus has been established around these three attributes:

• No Universal default passwords;

• Implement a vulnerability disclosure policy;

• Keep software updated.

Along with these capabilities, “secure communications” and “ensuring that personal data is secure” have been observed in more than 100 standards, guidelines and specifications globally. Predominantly, promotions of these capabilities will influence the internet of things in retail for consumers, manufacturers and vendors.

A Just Transition in Food & Grocery Retail

Consumer choices in 2025 are largely dependent on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, compelling brands to invest in sustainable practices. That said, greenwashing, misleading claims about product’s benefits and insufficient labeling regarding allergens pose risks to consumers and challenge food & grocery retail companies.

The prevalence of hoarding goods to manipulate high prices, selling spurious goods, second-hand goods sold as new ones and goods not having the claimed use are a few signs of unfair trade practices. An IBM survey noted that 62% of consumers are willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact.

A just transition to sustainable lifestyles demands addressing ethical concerns and promoting environmentally friendly materials such as biodegradable alternatives and recycled content. Consumers have the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, standard and purity of the product. They also have the right to know the environmental and social impacts of products and packaging. It is high time companies emphasize transparency and avoid greenwashing for a sustainable future.

Closing Thoughts: Consumer Voice (Need to) Take Center Stage

Environmentally conscious consumers, early adopters and savers are in a vanguard position to engage in sustainable living. Governments and businesses are expected to invest in raising consumer awareness, providing sustainable products and services and injecting funds into innovative technologies. The next half a decade needs sustainability as the fulcrum to ensure fairness, safety and digital rights, including data protection and transparency to combat deception, online fraud and unfair trade practices.