Key points
- Argentina has a strong consumer protection system, but greater coordination and regulatory coherence are needed.
- Digital commerce is exposing consumers to new risks, including fraud, misleading practices, unsafe products and difficulties obtaining redress.
- Informality and digital divides leave some consumers less protected, particularly older people and those with limited digital access.
- The review recommends a modern consumer protection code, stronger digital oversight, better institutional coordination and expanded consumer education.
Argentina has long been a regional leader in consumer protection. Its constitutional recognition of consumer rights, comprehensive legal framework and active network of national, provincial and municipal institutions have helped build a strong culture of consumer protection and market confidence.
Yet profound economic, technological and social transformations are creating new challenges that require renewed policy attention and institutional adaptation.
This background report of the UNCTAD Voluntary peer review assesses the effectiveness of Argentina’s consumer protection system and identifies opportunities to strengthen its capacity to protect consumers in an increasingly digital, interconnected and complex marketplace.
The review finds that Argentina possesses a robust and mature framework, but that future success will depend on improving coordination, enhancing regulatory coherence and adapting to emerging risks.
Key challenges facing consumers
The review highlights three major trends reshaping consumer protection in Argentina.
Digitalization and e-commerce are transforming how consumers access goods and services. While online commerce has expanded choice and convenience, it has also increased exposure to fraud, misleading practices, unsafe products, opaque digital interfaces and difficulties in obtaining redress, particularly in cross-border transactions.
Informality remains a significant challenge. A large share of economic activity takes place outside formal regulatory frameworks, limiting consumer access to guarantees, effective remedies and product safety protections. Informality also weakens incentives for regulatory compliance and complicates market surveillance.
Digital divides and vulnerability continue to affect many consumers, particularly older persons and those with limited digital access or financial literacy. As markets become more digitalized, ensuring that all consumers can exercise their rights effectively becomes increasingly important.
Federalism in Argentina has enabled consumer protection authorities to maintain a strong territorial presence and remain close to consumers. However, differences in institutional capacity, procedures and resources across jurisdictions can lead to uneven levels of protection and regulatory fragmentation.
The review stresses the importance of preserving provincial and municipal autonomy while strengthening coordination mechanisms and promoting common minimum standards throughout the country.
Policy recommendations
The review proposes a forward-looking reform agenda designed to reinforce consumer confidence, improve market functioning and prepare the system for future challenges.
Modernize and consolidate the legal framework. A central recommendation is the adoption of a Consumer Protection Code that would systematize, harmonize and modernize existing legislation. Such a code would reduce fragmentation, improve legal certainty and ensure that consumer protection remains fit for purpose in digital markets.
The review also recommends strengthening the framework for collective consumer protection, clarifying the application of punitive damages and ensuring consistent protection standards in public services and State-owned enterprises.
Strengthen consumer protection in the digital economy. Given the rapid growth of digital commerce, the review calls for enhanced regulation and oversight of emerging digital risks. Particular attention should be given to online platforms, product traceability, supplier identification, digital incentives and online gambling, especially where vulnerable consumers may be affected.
Improve coordination and institutional capacity. The review encourages stronger cooperation among consumer authorities, sector regulators and the judiciary through information-sharing, joint actions and training initiatives. It also recommends institutionalizing regular consultations with consumer organizations, businesses and technical experts to improve regulatory quality and predictability.
Invest in consumer education and compliance. Consumer education is identified as a strategic pillar of effective protection. The review recommends expanding consumer and financial literacy programmes, strengthening partnerships with academic institutions and promoting a culture of compliance among businesses through training, internal complaint-resolution mechanisms and good-practice initiatives.
Next steps
Argentina enters this new phase from a position of strength. Its well-established legal foundations, active institutions and engaged civil society provide a solid basis for reform.
By enhancing coordination, embracing digital-era challenges and modernizing its regulatory framework, Argentina can further strengthen consumer trust, support fair and competitive markets, and reinforce consumer protection as a driver of sustainable and inclusive economic development.