Handbook and training on consumer product safety

As global markets become more interconnected, ensuring product safety is more important than ever. Yet 44% of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) member States still lack adequate product safety legislation, underscoring the urgent need for stronger frameworks.

UNCTAD is implementing the project “EC-UNCTAD Handbook and Training on Consumer Product Safety” to strengthen consumer product safety frameworks in developing and least developed countries.

The project responds to Member States’ demand for practical guidance and capacity-building to implement the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP), with a focus on access to safe products, regulatory cooperation, and inclusive outcomes.

It builds on the recent United Nations General Assembly’s adoption (15 December 2025) of the first-ever United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, which affirm the right to safe products and support stronger national product safety systems.

About the Project

To support the implementation of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, the European Commission and UNCTAD are co-developing the first UNCTAD Handbook on Consumer Product Safety: a practical guide to help policymakers and regulators strengthen national systems and harmonize approaches with international best practice.

The development of the Handbook will be complemented by training and dissemination activities to support implementation at the national level.

Objective

The overall objective is to strengthen national consumer product safety frameworks in developing and least developed countries by providing practical policy guidance, building institutional capacity, and fostering international cooperation.

Intended Outcomes

The project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Greater awareness among policymakers of the role of consumer product safety in inclusive and sustainable development.
Enhanced capacity of UNCTAD member States to design, implement, and enforce consumer product safety frameworks in line with the UNGCP.
Improved access to practical guidance through the development and dissemination of a comprehensive consumer product safety handbook.
Stronger international dialogue and cooperation on consumer product safety, including through UNCTAD’s informal Working Group.
Better integration of gender perspectives into consumer product safety policies and practices.

Consumer product safety: New global principles adopted at UN

16 Dec 2025

The move seeks to enhance consumer protection in an increasingly globalized and digital marketplace, as product safety is not a privilege for the few, but a fundamental right for all.

Competition and consumer protection: Key moves to watch for in next five years

11 Jul 2025

The world comes together at the United Nations, taking bold actions to protect consumers and promote fair competition in an increasingly digital and globalized economy.

UNCTAD urges civil society to help ensure consumer goods are safe

21 Nov 2022

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

Unsafe products exact a high price on consumers globally

19 Jul 2022

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.

Unsafe consumer products cost the US economy $1 trillion each year

11 Jul 2018

Injuries and death caused by consumer products represent a massive drag on the economy, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Emerging trends and challenges in consumer product safety

UNCTAD/DITC/CPLP/2024/1

11 February 2025