1. UNCTAD work on consumer protection issues
ICPEN Conference
The Hague, 19 April 2011
Aurélie Legrand
Associate Legal Officer, UNCTAD, CCPB

2. UNCTAD mandate on CP
1985, UN Guidelines for Consumer protection (Resolution 39/85 of the UN GA), expanded in 1999 (8 consumer rights and sustainable consumption, CP policies, environmental protection and sustainable development)
The expanded guidelines designed as a means to strengthen the linkage between consumer interests and sustainable consumption, thereby stimulating national policy making
Only UN organization handling consumer protection issues, including follow-up on implementation of the UN Guidelines
UNCTAD general background:
Established in 1964, UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development.
In performing its functions, the secretariat works together with member Governments and interacts with organizations of the United Nations system and regional commissions, as well as with governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, including trade and industry associations, research institutes and universities worldwide.
UNCTAD specific mandate in Consumer protection: The UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection
The idea of the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection originated in the late 1970s, when the Economic and Social Council recognized that there were strong linkages between consumer protection and social and economic development. The UN General Assembly adopted the Guidelines by consensus in 1985, after extensive discussions and negotiations.
In 1995, 10 years later, and on the basis of regional meetings assessing the use and implementation of the Guidelines, the Economic and Social Council requested the Secretary-General to elaborate guidelines in the area of sustainable consumption patterns and to examine the possible extension of the Guidelines into other areas. It was generally felt that the issues of environmental protection and sustainable development should be integrated into consumer protection measures and reflected in the Guidelines.

3. Objectives of UNCTAD CP activities
Assist countries in achieving adequate legal frameworks and institutions and for the protection of consumers;
Further international cooperation in the field of consumer protection and share best practices;
Encourage development of market conditions which provide consumers with greater choice and lower prices;
Raise awareness on consumer protection;
Promote sustainable consumption;
Promote policies that strike a balance between consumer protection and minimizing costs to business

4. UNCTAD activities in CP
Work on competition and consumer protection is centralized in the same programme with UNCTAD
Demand-driven approach to TA
Active enforcement of consumer protection law (strong emphasis on capacity building and raising awareness)
Research and technical assistance activities through regional programmes:
COMPAL programme, Angola, Botswana, Bhutan, Mozambique, etc.
Biannual international expert meetings on consumer protection issues: next meeting July 2012
UNCTAD research platform composed on independent institutes, academics and other on consumer protection and competition policy

5. Areas of intervention
Drafting of CP policy, laws and related regulations and guidelines
Support to institutional set up of CP agencies
Awareness raising and communication strategy
Training programmes for officials handling consumer issues
Market surveys
Conduct of peer reviews
Networking and exchange of experience

6. TA activities CP policy Bolivia CP law
Bolivia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Lao PDR, Paraguay
CP regulations
Peru (CP Code), Nicaragua, Paraguay
Manuals and guidelines
Angola, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru
Trainings and internships
Angola, Bhutan, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa
For further details on TA:

7. TA activities Awareness workshops
Angola, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Lao PDR, Malawi, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Regional COMPAL forum on CP
Communication material and media strategy/web
Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador
Market surveys
Bhutan, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Peru
Institutional set up support
Angola, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru
For further details on TA:

8. ICPEN/UNCTAD: mutual benefits
From previous slide, UNCTAD can provide an intermediate platform for dissemination of the work of ICPEN, OECD and the UN to interested countries: e.g. product safety, access to adequate information and consumer redress mechanism.
UNCTAD encourages new consumer protection authorities to join ICPEN (eg. Angola, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Nicaragua)
Importance of networking and using regional experts from ICPEN members
Exchange, research, studies and recommended practices
Co-organize activities where possible

9. Mutual benefits Networking on CP in developing countries
Exchange of expertise and experts
Joint-contribution to research on CP
Contribution of ICPEN experts to UNCTAD CP activities

10. Thank you ! Contact details Competition Laws and Consumer
Policies Branch, UNCTAD
Aurélie Legrand