Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Right to Safety means consumers have the right to be protected against goods and services that are hazardous to life and health. For example, faulty electrical appliances or LPG cylinders that are unsafe can cause serious harm.

Why government action is necessary: Even when safety regulations exist, individual producers may not follow them voluntarily. Companies are powerful and consumers are scattered and weak. For products like LPG cylinders, food colours, and packaged drinking water, government makes certification (e.g., ISI mark) mandatory to ensure compliance. Without public enforcement, producers may ignore standards, putting consumer lives at risk.

Source: Chapter 5 — The Consumer in the Marketplace

---

• Examiners expect a definition of Right to Safety (1 mark) and a reason why government/public action is needed despite existing regulations (2 marks).
• Key point: ISI/Agmark certification is not compulsory for all products, but mandatory for health/safety-critical ones — this distinction is important.
• Mention the power imbalance: producers are few and powerful, consumers are scattered — this is why self-regulation fails and state intervention is essential.