Onica N. Makwakwa, Head
Regional Office for Africa
Consumers International
World ConsumersNew challenges for consumer protection
Overview
• About Consumers International
• Global State of Consumer Protection
• Emerging Issues
• UN Guidelines
About Consumers International
• 250 members
• member organisations in 120 countries
• Funded by membership fees and donors
• Advocate for consumer rights on the global stage
• Only accredited consumer representative at UN, OECD, ISO and other bodies.
The state of consumer protection around the world
Barely half (52%) of the countries surveyed have a national policy to protect consumers.
The state of consumer protection around the world
91% of governments fine companies that violate consumer laws…
….only 55% order financial compensation to consumers.
The state of consumer protection around the world
Less than a third of governments (29%) have mechanisms in place to resolvee-commerce disputes out of court.
The state of consumer protection around the world
Barely half (52%) require companies to disclose energy consumption of home appliances.
The state of consumer protection around the world
75% of our members are consulted by governments on the development of consumer laws and policy.
Emerging Issues
• Remittances
• e-commerce and redress
• health – obesity, corporate responsibility
• food safety
• ewaste/recylcing
UN Guidelines
• Right to the satisfaction of basic needs
• The right to safety
• The right to choose
• The right to be heard
• The right to redress
• The right to consumer education
• The right to a healthy environment
UN Guidelines
were last amended:
• The iPod had not yet been invented.
• It was the year Napster was first sued by the music industry for promoting illegal file sharing.
• Facebook would not exist for another 5 years.
• The first international anti-globalisation protests only took place that same year.
Summary of Proposal for UNGCP
• All consumers must be recognised
• Digital consumption acknowledged
• More emphasis on fairness in the market
• Acknowledge health as a cornerstone of responsible marketing
• Improved coverage of financial services, water, energy, food and pharmaceuticals
• International day for consumer protection recognized
• Establish a Standing Commission
Key Amendments for the Digital
• Equivalent consumer protection for analogue and digital, online and offline
• Neither fine print nor digital locks can be used to override consumer rights
• Personal information must be collected with consent and protected against misuse
• Affordable, neutral and diverse Internet, and consumers retain control over content
• Extra protections for online transactions
