UN GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION The UN

Transcript:UN GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION The UN:
UN GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION The UN General Assembly adopted the Guidelines on Consumer Protection (the “UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection”) to assist countries in the development of legislation and policies to meet key ‘legitimate needs’ for consumers: 1. Protection from hazards to health and safety; 2. Promotion and protection of economic interests; 3. Access to adequate information to make informed choices; 4. Consumer education, including on environmental, social and economic impacts; 5. Availability of effective consumer redress; 6. Freedom to form consumer and other relevant groups and the opportunity to present their views in decision-making processes; 7. Promotion of sustainable consumption patterns. Consumer Protection Justification The basic law on consumer protection, in most countries, is called the Consumer Protection Act. This legislation deals with matters such as unfair trade practices, consumer contracts, product safety and compensation for injury and damage caused by unsafe products. It establishes the powers of public authority in relation to consumer protection and sometimes creates a Consumer Protection Council comprising government, business and consumer representatives. It will also establish the redress mechanisms consumers can use when they have problems with traders. All countries should have some form of legislation to provide a basic platform for consumer protection. Against the following Unethical Behaviour Unfair Trading To avoid such Governments should Set priorities for the protection of consumers. Taking into account the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection and relevant international agreements, each Government should set its own priorities for the protection of consumers in accordance with the economic, social and environmental circumstances of the country and the needs of its population, bearing in mind the costs and benefits of proposed measures In general, consumer laws should enshrine the following: Protect consumers from products or services which are dangerous or unsafe, or whose use might cause injury to others. Require all necessary information to be given to consumers about the goods and services they acquire, especially in relation to therapeutic goods and toxic products. Ensure that necessary information about goods and services is required to be accurate and comprehensible. Provide consumers with cost-effective, speedy and accessible means to enforce their legal rights. Establish procedures which ensure consumers are informed about their consumer rights, particularly consumers with special needs. Encourage the promotion of ethical and socially responsible practices by the producers and suppliers of goods and services. Protect consumers from unethical, unconscionable, and illegal practices especially in the supply