FeedbackHall Limited a customer feedback service platform that enables consumers and producers give and receives feedback on goods and services has called for effective regulation of manufacturing industry to ensure that claims made by companies regarding the degrees of sustainability of their products and services are correct.
Prof. Pat Utomi, chairman, FeedbackHall Limited made this call on Monday during a press conference to Mark the 2020 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) held at the Center for Values and Leadership, Victoria Island Lagos
Speaking on the theme for this year’s celebration, “The Sustainable Consumer,” Prof. Utomi noted that companies need to change their production models to offer products that are truly sustainable so that consumers can have sustainable options.
He revealed that the era of unwholesome practices by these companies should be effectively regulated to ensure that their claims regarding the degrees of sustainability of their products and services are correct.
According to him,”For consumers to consume sustainably, companies and the organisations that regulate them have important roles to play.
“Since consumers cannot produce most of what they use, companies need to change their production models to offer products that are truly sustainable so that consumers can have sustainable options.
“In addition, companies need to stop producing greenwashed products. Some companies claim that their products are organic or natural when they are not.
“Some companies claim that the raw materials and production processes are environmentally friendly when they are not.
“These unethical business practices are used to deceive responsible consumers into believing that their products are environmentally friendly and win their patronage. According to a report by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, 98% of green-labelled products are actually greenwashed.
He called for more careful regulation of manufacturers and service providers, to ensure that, not just final products, but also the production processes are sustainable.
“Regulators need to ensure that, not just final products, but also the production processes are sustainable.
“They need to ensure that claims made by companies regarding the degrees of the sustainability of the products and services they offer are correct.
“Regulation of manufacturing industry and products imported into our country is an important function that needs to be reinforced in Nigeria.
“Given our level of development and geographic location, our vulnerability to climate change risks are high, therefore, prevention is not only better but also more feasible than cure”.
Prof. Utomi further explained that consumers have an important responsibility – to consume sustainably and also demand for and patronise products and services that preserve the environment.
He said, “World Consumer Rights Day is unique as it exposes the fact that, beyond rights, consumers have an important responsibility – to consume sustainably.
“Sustainable consumption requires consumers to demand for and patronise products and services that preserve the environment.
“It also requires them to use these products in ways that minimize their impact on the environment.
“Such ways include limiting waste that is, doing more with less; limiting pollution, reusing what is reusable and disposing the rest responsibly.
“Sustainable consumption is important to ensure that resources are available not only for the present generation but also for future generations”.
Dr. Chiugo Kanu, founder, FeedbackHall, speaking at the press conference said that they will continue to provide consumer intelligence required to formulate and implement important strategies and policies by connecting consumers and companies through a constructive feedback system as well as research.
She noted that their aim this year is to provide support for people and companies who are genuinely interested in promoting sustainable production and consumption with a comprehensive, nation-wide consumer research on sustainable consumption.
In a bid to serve consumers better, FeedbackHall last year, launched its annual Nigeria Digital Consumer Survey (NDCS) as part of activities to mark the 2019 World Consumer Rights Day.
NDCS was launched to aid provision of actionable insights for consumers, companies and regulators.
