Smart consumer

The increasingly free flow of goods in the era of trade liberalization consumer demand more observant and careful. If they are careless choosing a product, not only have suffered material losses, but their safety and security also threatened.
The fact remains that the circulation of these products is not feasible, as released Ministry of Commerce, would make us sad. Many products that supply does not follow the rules of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). In fact, ISO is created as a minimum standard of product feasibility. Of the thousands of products, the new 83 new products or about 1 percent of that required to meet the requirements of SNI. Other violations of labeling and manuals about the Indonesian language. In Singapore, the application of national standards has reached 60-70 percent. Not only that, tens of millions of measuring devices used in commercial transactions is not yet guaranteed accuracy.
These items are not worth it has circulated widely and may not be all identified officers. That is, consumers who have an active role. Therefore, demands a smart consumer is very important. How to be a smart consumer?
First, carefully before buying. Consumers should not be afraid to ask or obtain information directly from businesses. Second, pay attention to the labels, manual warranty card, and expiration date. Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (POM) released, so far this year seized 1133 illegal because the type of food product is not listed in the POM. The economic value of the illegal food products reached USD 1.7 billion. A total of 99.9 food products is illegal food imports. Provisions relating to labeling, the new 103 kinds of products that are required to use the Indonesian language.
Third, make sure the product in accordance with the SNI. Throughout the year, the Ministry of Commerce seized 28 products that do not meet the standards. Several types of products are wheat flour mandatory SNI, fans, tires, gas stove, concrete rebars, cocoa powder, and bottled drinking water.
Fourth, buy according to needs, not wants. Consumers have become savvy consumers in dealing with various lucrative offers from discount shopping centers. Not all products sold are really needed. Ministry of Commerce plans to offer discounts to investigate the increasingly widespread. Is it true that there are discounted rates, or perhaps just a trick of the seller.
Fifth, enforce your rights and obligations as consumers. If consumers feel that the product purchased does not fit and hurt its interests, consumers can take steps advocacy. Unfortunately, the results of a survey of National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) showed that only 35.8 percent knew that the consumer has a right to advocacy, protection, and dispute resolution efforts. Only 11.3 percent knew that these rights are guaranteed by law. That is, consumers are still little understanding of their rights. This is a gap for the circulation of goods is not feasible.
Provisions about the protection of consumers is already a lot. In addition to the Act (Act) No. 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection, at least there are still five more laws also regulate consumer protection. Call it Law No. 5/1984 on Industry and Law No. 7/1996 on Food. However, those rules have not been effective in protecting consumers.
More and more consumers are critical, automatic circulation of goods decreased by themselves are not feasible. Consumers are also more intelligent love domestic products rather than imported products. Love the movement and buy local products become the last bastion in the middle of the swift flow of imported goods. By ignoring the imported products, the domestic industry will grow and unemployment was on the wane.