by Kaisar | Mar 13, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
As online consumer marketplace grows at a rapid rate and offers considerable potential economic and consumer benefits, the regulation will need closer attention. Further, consumer protection faces increasing challenges with mobile money environment and the rapidly changing technology. To address these challenges, ASEAN held its first ASEAN Consumer Protection Conference (1st ACPC) from 8-9 December in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The Conference aims to be a platform for experts and relevant stakeholders to network and exchange experiences and best practices. The Conference generated fruitful discussions and exchange of views on the development of consumer protection in ASEAN and engendered discussions on the future direction of regional consumer trends and challenges. The 1st ACPC deliberated on a wide range of topics on current issues and challenges relating to financial transactions, consumer product safety, e-commerce and development of consumer redress mechanisms. Participants included government bodies handling consumer protection schemes, researchers, NGOs, private practitioners and business associations, and other relevant organisations involve in consumer protection enforcement. The Conference was organised under the auspices of the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection and hosted by the Vietnam Competition Authority. Session 1: Emerging Themes in Consumer Protection in ASEAN Session 2: Financial Transactions Session 3: Consumer Product Safety Session 4: E-Commerce Session 5: Development of Consumer Redress Mechanism Session 6: Institutionalizing Consumer Protection in Developing Countries Session 7: Summary and Conclusions Related project: Supporting Research & Dialogue on Consumer...
by Kaisar | Mar 13, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
Consumer protection is an essential tool in building a people-oriented ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The AEC prioritises the interests and welfare of consumers in the implementation of strategies for achieving an integrated economic region. Consumer protection laws must ensure fair competition and the free flow of information in the marketplace. ASEAN Member States have differing levels of administrative capacity, available resources, public and private sector culture and capacity to adapt. In addition, each has a different political and administrative system and so there is no single consumer complaints and redress system which will fit all countries. Rather, models based on principles which might be adapted to any system are a preferable approach to gaining adequate levels of consumer protection across all countries. The paper presents models for complaint handling systems and consumer redress schemes which may be suitable for implementation in the ASEAN Economic Community. This includes redress mechanism and complaint handling models for national consumer protection agencies, regulatory institutions, industry Ombudsmen, Small Claims Courts or Tribunals and for business complaint system operators. The models are based on identified international best practices and feedback from ASEAN Member States. Goals for complaint systems and redress schemes in ASEAN Member States: Enhancing the welfare of all ASEAN consumers Building a sound ASEAN economic community Promoting quality and accountability in business and government ASEAN Complaint and Redress Mechanism Models Guideline for the Selection and Implementation of the Complaint and Redress Mechanism Related project: Development of Complaint and Redress Mechanism Models in ASEAN...
by Kaisar | Feb 16, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
This Policy Guide is part of a broader project entitled, Supporting Research and Dialogue in Consumer Protection that aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of new and emerging consumer protection concerns and to make possible better policy directions through the synthesis of experiences and lessons learned. It is an essential part of a wider institutional capacity development for consumer protection and is a multi-dimensional challenge involving a full range of stakeholders, sectors and issues. Drawing on the expertise of consumer protection experts and academics, Consumer Protection Digests and Case Studies: A Policy Guide – Volume 1 presents 12 Policy Digests and two Case Studies that explore key consumer protection issues in the ASEAN context. The Policy Digests cover key issues relevant to consumer protection such as consumer credit and debt, product safety regulation, online purchasing, telecommunication services, unfair sales practices, product liability, responding to complaints about misleading information and practice with low-cost airlines, fraud in price discounting, statutory guarantees of quality in the supply of goods and services, and money transfer fraud. The Policy Digests also explore the interface between competition and consumer protection policies, as well as a specific focus on professional services markets. The Case Studies provide in-depth investigations into online consumer market and the regulation of unfair contract terms in ASEAN. These digests and case studies are intended to assist in the development and strengthening of consumer protection systems by highlighting and sharing information on key issues on emerging concerns. It is expected that these will contribute to raising awareness and stimulating dialogue among the business community, professional associations, and appropriate academic and non-government organisations to...
by Kaisar | Feb 16, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
For the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to enjoy healthy economic growth, access to the regional consumer market of 600 million people is important. The economic convergence of AMSs necessitates that member countries work together to ensure that the benefits of convergence flow on to consumers as it does to businesses. Regional economic arrangements such as ‘growth triangles’ will impact on consumers in areas like access to products and services and involve issues of quality and costs, among other things. Consumer protection is therefore, a priority agenda of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that calls for equal commitment of stakeholders to achieve an equitable single market. Consumers, regulators and businesses need to be further equipped to respond to the impact of globalisation such as greater cross-border purchasing, new market trends, varying consumer demographics and increased use of the internet. The digital revolution is transforming the world in which consumers live. This Policy Brief highlights the relevant supports and actions required to achieve the desired state of consumer protection in order to foster confidence in the ASEAN marketplace. Consumers who are well protected will have confidence in the business and the economy as they are assured of getting a fair deal and will have access to redress where necessary. The ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCP II) commissioned the study on “Roadmapping Capacity Building Needs in Consumer Protection in ASEAN” with the primary objectives as follows: To develop a capacity building roadmap for consumer protection in AMSs and in the ASEAN region, particularly involving the six selected core consumer areas – product safety and labelling, consumer credit and banking,...
