The consumer, as defined and protected by consumer law, is a natural or legal person who is offered or accepts an offer of contract relating to a good or a service for non-professional purposes.
The electricity consumer is often relayed in his rights by consumer associations. The latter are responsible for defending the rights of citizens in their dimension of consumers. They can assist them in their disputes with a company or an organization, but they also intervene with States to define standards that can protect it. They are numerous, for example the Associative Network of Energy Consumers (RACE).
The consumer has rights, but also duties
Consumer rights
• right to safety, it protects consumers against any product, production process or service that could threaten their life or health;
• right to information, the consumer must be able to have the elements that allow him to make an informed choice and be protected from any misleading or biased information;
• right to a good quality of service;
gives consumers access to a variety of products and services corresponding to their needs and at competitive prices;
• right to be heard, This right allows consumers to be represented at the levels where decisions are made, so that their interests are taken into account;
• Right to education, This is the possibility for the consumer to acquire the knowledge and techniques enabling him to be an informed consumer.
• right to network connection;
• right to supply;
• right to a healthy environment, the physical environment must be safeguarded by promoting the quality of life for present and future generations.
The rights stated above imply duties and responsibilities for the consumer.
