Some 300 experts gathered at the ad hoc expert meeting on consumer protection held at UNCTAD on 12 - 13 July saw the need for revision of UN consumer protection guidelines in light of "radical changes in the market place."
The meeting assembled experts from national consumer agencies, competition authorities and civil society to discuss the interface between competition and consumer policies and emerging issues in consumer protection.
Particular attention was given to consumer protection in the midst of the financial crisis. The need to take into account latest developments in the market place, such as e-commerce and other technological advancements was highlighted. At the same time it was also noted that certain issues affecting poor consumers, such as access to basic good and services, persist and require continued action.
The ad hoc expert meeting concluded by emphasizing the need to revise the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection in order to assess how relevant the guidelines are in today's market place.
The UNCTAD Secretariat was requested to prepare a draft report containing proposals for revised guidelines for consideration by the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy at its next session to be held in July 2013.
The UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1985. The Guidelines provide a framework for use in elaborating and strengthening national consumer protection policies and legislation. They are also intended to encourage international cooperation in this field.
In 1999, the Guidelines were expanded to include the principle of sustainable consumption.
The Sixth UN Review Conference held in Geneva in November 2010 invited UNCTAD to convene two ad hoc expert group meetings on the interface between competition policy and consumer welfare between 2010 and 2015. The ad hoc expert meeting held on 12 - 13 July was the first of these two meetings.
Chairing the panel at the first ad hoc expert meeting was Ms. Cynthia Zapata, Director of Costa Rica's Consumer Protection Agency.
Panellists included Mr. Andrew Pickering of the UK's Office of Fair Trading; Ms. Connie Lau, CEO of the Hong Kong Consumers Council; Ms. Martha Kisyombe of the Fair Competition Commission of Tanzania; Mr. Peter Avery of the OECD; Ms. Seema Gaur of India's Competition Commission; Ms. Deon Woods of the Federal Trade Commission of the United States; and Mr. Robin Simpson of Consumers International.
The Agreed Conclusions adopted at the end of the meeting also reaffirmed the fundamental role of consumer protection policy for inclusive economic development, and the importance of the empowerment of consumers.
The meeting noted with satisfaction the work that UNCTAD has been doing in this field.