"The right to be informed", a consumerism issue: study on Romanian consumers of cosmetics

Abstract

This study focuses on the importance of consumerism in general and of consumer protection through the right to information, in particular. A sample of Romanian consumers of cosmetics and grooming products and two companies - a producer of cosmetics and a distributor of cosmetics are interviewed to address this issue. A secondary issue explored is the transformations in the Romanian environment along with an attempt to e.xplore the changes in consumption patterns of the Romanian consumers. The results showed that at present the information provided for the Romanian consumers of cosmetics and grooming products is insufficient and incomplete and there is an acute need for more and detailed information. There is also a need for consumer protection activities on behalf of tlie producing and distributing firms and on behalf of outside consumer protection agencies. Further, overall changes of the average number of items and consumption activities perceived as necessities, luxuries, and consumed and wanted are not significant although perceptions of items alone have changed.