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New Challenges for Consumer Protection: Global State, Emerging Issues, and UN Guidelines

This overview discusses the state of consumer protection worldwide, highlighting the need for stronger policies and mechanisms to protect consumers. It addresses emerging issues such as remittances, e-commerce and redress, health, food safety, and e-waste/recycling. The UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection are also presented, along with proposed amendments to ensure adequate protection in the digital era.

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New Challenges for Consumer Protection: Global State, Emerging Issues, and UN Guidelines

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  1. World Consumers New challenges for consumer protection Onica N. Makwakwa, Head Regional Office for Africa Consumers International

  2. Overview • About Consumers International • Global State of Consumer Protection • Emerging Issues • UN Guidelines

  3. About Consumers International • 250 members • member organisations in 120 countries • Funded by membership fees and donors • Advocate for consumer rights on the global stage • Only accredited consumer representative at UN, OECD, ISO and other bodies.

  4. The state of consumer protection around the world Barely half (52%) of the countries surveyed have a national policy to protect consumers.

  5. The state of consumer protection around the world 91% of governments fine companies that violate consumer laws… ….only 55% order financial compensation to consumers.

  6. The state of consumer protection around the world Less than a third of governments (29%) have mechanisms in place to resolve e-commerce disputes out of court.

  7. The state of consumer protection around the world Barely half (52%) require companies to disclose energy consumption of home appliances.

  8. The state of consumer protection around the world 75% of our members are consulted by governments on the development of consumer laws and policy.

  9. Emerging Issues • Remittances • e-commerce and redress • health – obesity, corporate responsibility • food safety • ewaste/recylcing

  10. UN Guidelines • Right to the satisfaction of basic needs • The right to safety • The right to choose • The right to be heard • The right to redress • The right to consumer education • The right to a healthy environment

  11. UN Guidelines were last amended: • The iPod had not yet been invented. • It was the year Napster was first sued by the music industry for promoting illegal file sharing. • Facebook would not exist for another 5 years. • The first international anti-globalisation protests only took place that same year.

  12. Summary of Proposal for UNGCP • All consumers must be recognised • Digital consumption acknowledged • More emphasis on fairness in the market • Acknowledge health as a cornerstone of responsible marketing • Improved coverage of financial services, water, energy, food and pharmaceuticals • International day for consumer protection recognized • Establish a Standing Commission

  13. Key Amendments for the Digital • Equivalent consumer protection for analogue and digital, online and offline • Neither fine print nor digital locks can be used to override consumer rights • Personal information must be collected with consent and protected against misuse • Affordable, neutral and diverse Internet, and consumers retain control over content • Extra protections for online transactions

  14. Thank you omakwakwa@consint.org Twitter: @CI_Africa lupchurch@consint.org

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