Updated UNGCP could put consumers at heart of business and development

23 December 2015

Consumers International (CI) welcomes the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution updating the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP); filling gaps in financial services, privacy, energy and travel and tourism. 

This major achievement is the first comprehensive revision of the UNGCP since 1985, recognising access to basic goods and services, and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers as new consumer legitimate needs.

CI has worked closely with Members and governments throughout the three year process of strengthening and updating the UNGCP.

Included in the key additions are:

  • Access to essential goods and services, and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers are recognised as new consumer legitimate needs;
  • New guidance on e-commerce, parity of treatment between online and offline consumers and protection of consumer privacy;
  • New guidance on financial services, public utilities, good business practices and international cooperation;
  • A new Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on consumer protection law and policy to monitor the implementation of the Guidelines, serving as a forum for exchange.

The revision of the UN Guidelines was led by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Dr Kituyi, Director General of UNCTAD said:

"Today’s adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the revised Guidelines for Consumer Protection is a milestone in the protection and promotion of consumer rights worldwide. I congratulate Governments and the civil society organisations that have joined these efforts. More globalised consumers require strengthened international cooperation, and UNCTAD, with this renewed mandate, stands ready to support developing countries and their consumers in seeking a more sustainable and inclusive world."

CI Director General, Amanda Long added:

“Consumer protection ensures that people everywhere are treated fairly in the marketplace and have access to safe, healthy products and services. This is particularly important for poor and vulnerable people, who are often amongst the most exploited.Consumer protection and empowerment provides a clear means to curb inequalities and to promote fairness, justice and prosperity in an increasingly complex global economy.”

“Consumers International are proud to have been closely involved in the process of strengthening and updating the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection. The challenge now is for governments and business to use these Guidelines to ensure that consumers are treated fairly. Strong consumer protection supports justice, safety and a fair and sustainable economy."

CI is calling on Members and Supporters around the world to work with governments to update their consumer protection frameworks in line with the new UN Guidelines and challenge businesses to ensure their practices are compliant

The revision of the UN Guidelines coincides with the recent adoption by the UN of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The UNGCP are a powerful tool to help governments implement many of these goals. Adequate consumer protection can directly support the achievement of SDG’s relating to ending hunger and improving nutrition by supporting access to safe, affordable and healthy diets; to health and well-being by protecting consumers from unsafe products that cause illness or injury and expanding access to effective pharmaceuticals. In addition sustained and inclusive growth can be promoted by ensuring consumers, as the largest group in the economy, are empowered and well represented. 

Since their first adoption in 1985 the UNGCP have acted as a blueprint for consumer protection around the world and are estimated to have guided the development of consumer protection in more than 100 countries.