Informal working group on consumer protection in e-commerce

At its second session in 2017, the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy requested the UNCTAD secretariat to convene an informal working group on consumer protection in e-commerce (WGE) to highlight best practices, facilitate information exchange and consultations, led by member States on a voluntary basis and without financial implications for the regular budget of the United Nations.

Established in response to the growing importance of digital markets, the WGE serves as a platform for government authorities, international organizations, academia, and experts to share experiences, identify emerging issues, and strengthen consumer protection in an increasingly data-driven and cross-border environment. The WGE reports annually to the IGE, which has renewed its mandate since its creation.

The group is coordinated by the UNCTAD Secretariat, with Professor Christine Riefa (University of Reading) as Academic Coordinator. Its work focuses on addressing challenges linked to new technologies and online business models, promoting cooperation among enforcement agencies, and supporting the implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection.

Since its creation, the WGE has produced several knowledge and capacity-building outputs, including:

• The Technical Note on Artificial Intelligence and Consumer Protection and a Checklist for consumer protection authorities deploying AI.
• Several webinars gathering hundreds of participants to discuss topics such as risks and opportunities of AI for consumers and consumer protection agencies, and the protection of vulnerable consumers.
• Some reports developed under the framework of the WGE, including on Consumer Education and Business Guidance on “Dark Commercial Patterns”, on Environmental Claims in E-commerce, on Cross-Border Cooperation; and on Cross-Border Enforcement of Consumer Law.