Consumer Protection

Multiple global crises are threatening access to essential services for the most disadvantaged consumers. UNCTAD outlines the actions needed to safeguard their rights.

Governments should rally civil society organizations in improving the safety of products offered to consumers.

Competition and consumer policies can help build more sustainable economies, experts say.

Consumers are targeted by new types of scams and fraud as digitalization and innovations in the financial markets boom.

Rogue traders whose unsafe products have been withdrawn from one market can export them to countries with weaker consumer product safety, disregarding consumers’ right to safe products.

The emerging cost-of-living crisis added to the COVID-19 pandemic is undermining the financial resilience of many consumers, increasing their vulnerability.

Competition and data protection issues are increasingly intersecting in a data-driven world. Efforts to address antitrust and privacy concerns should go hand in hand, experts say at UNCTAD's eCommerce Week.

Governments, consumer groups and businesses urged to step up efforts to allow consumers to play their part in sustainable development.

Sound laws and efficient enforcement mechanisms are more urgent than ever following increased cybercrime and online fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Including a gender lens in consumer protection policies can empower women and help reduce gender disparities.