Trust is a basic essential element of every
human interaction. In every passing moment we enter
into a new transaction or interaction. Some of these
interactions are of an extremely personal nature. In
every such interaction taking place between a consumer
and a supplier, there is a need for existence of consumer
trust. In such transactions consumer in the vulnerable
class whose trust if breached will be most prone to
exploitation of its vulnerability. This consumer trust is
directly proportionate to the product safety and product
liability legislations of any country. Despite there being
a number of legislations protecting consumer rights,
these legislation are still very weak due to which a
breach of consumer trust can be witnessed every now
and then. This article attempts to evaluate the concept
of consumer trust and its relation with consumer
commitment and consumer satisfaction. This article will
also try to understand how closely related, the consumer
trust and product safety are to each other and wherever
product safety is discussed product liability cannot be
dismissed. It also seeks to establish, how consumer
satisfaction is antecedent to consumer trust and how
consumer commitment is precedent to consumer trust.
This article also focuses upon how the consumer trust is
being protected by Indian legislation in the form of
protection of certain basic consumer rights and
protection of product safety by imposing product
liability.
Keywords : Consumer Trust, Consumer Commitment, Consumer Satisfaction, Product Liability, Product Safety, United Nations Guidelines For Consumer Protection, Consumer Protection Act 1986, Consumer Protection Act 2019.