The Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC) was enacted in Mexico in 1976, which made Mexico the first Latin American country to create an attorney general’s office in charge of defending consumer rights and guaranteeing fair consumer relations.
Since then, the Federal Consumer Attorney’s Office (PROFECO) has worked to protect the rights of Mexican consumers and prevent abuse.
Currently, PROFECO has 32 delegations and 19 sub-delegations, adding a total of 51 offices throughout the country. In addition, within article 10 of the Federal Consumer Protection Law, it is specified that it is prohibited for any provider of goods or services to carry out actions that threaten the freedom, security or personal integrity of consumers under the pretext of registration or investigation.
It is important to know the rights that consumers have in Mexico to avoid being violated. Next, we present the seven rights that every Mexican consumer should know:
- Right to information:
Suppliers of goods and services must provide timely, complete, clear and truthful information about the products or services they offer.
- Education rights:
Consumers have the right to know and understand their rights and the way in which the law protects them, in order to be able to consume more intelligently and responsibly.
- Right to choose:
Consumers have the right to freely choose the products or services they want, without conditionalizing the sale, demanding payment or forcing them to sign a contract.
- Right to safety and quality:
Suppliers of goods and services must ensure that the products or services they offer comply with safety and quality regulations and provisions.
- Right not to be discriminated:
Consumers have the right not to be discriminated against for reasons of sex, race, religion, economic condition, nationality, sexual orientation or disability when purchasing a product or service.
- Right to compensation:
In the event that the consumer purchases a poor quality product, they have the right to have the product replaced or their money returned, and if applicable, to a discount of not less than 20% of the price paid.
- Right to protection:
When a supplier does not respect the rights of the consumer or commits abuses against them, PROFECO is in charge of protecting the rights of consumers and defending them.
It is important to mention that these rights are inalienable and cannot be limited by the providers of goods or services. In addition, in the event that a provider of goods or services violates consumer rights, complaints can be filed with PROFECO to receive advice and protection.