UN Guidelines breakthrough
Consumers International (CI) participated in a landmark meeting on 9 July 2015 to approve the final draft text of the revised UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection.
The draft text will strengthen and update the Guidelines, and should help to ensure they remain the important international instrument to enhance consumer protection globally.
New guidance has been added on electronic commerce, financial services, public utilities, good business practices and international cooperation.
Another big win is the proposal to create an Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on consumer protection law and policy to monitor the implementation of the Guidelines and serve as a forum for exchange of best practices and provide technical cooperation and capacity building to developing countries and economies in transition.
The Guidelines will also include the important principles of parity of treatment between online and offline consumers, and protection of consumer privacy. Read our full analysis here.
This all follows a three year process of negotiation, which CI played a central role in on behalf of our Members; starting with the publication of our detailed recommendations in 2013.
CI’s Director General, Amanda Long praised those in attendance, including UNCTAD, member states and global consumer experts for their achievement. She also thanked CI Members for engaging in the process, pointing out that CI’s proposals to the text were the result of the joint effort of CI’s 240 Members in 120 countries.
In a statement for UNCTAD, she said: "We are particularly pleased with the high level of commitment to establish an Intergovernmental Group of Experts. Effective implementation by member states and business will be key going forward.”
“There is a real necessity and opportunity, not only to engage governments but to translate the Guidelines into best practice for the marketplace. This presents a win-win opportunity for consumers, governments and business.”
The final Declaration of the 7th Review Conference invites the UN General Assembly at its 70th Session in 2015 to consider the adoption of the final draft. It also states that until the effective establishment of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) – which could take two years – the Ad Hoc Expert Group on Consumer Protection meetings will be convened yearly.
Read Amanda Long's blog to find out what happened at the meeting.