Citation
OECD Guidelines for Protecting Consumers from Fraudulent and Deceptive Commercial Practices Across Borders (C(2003)116) (2003) (full-text).
Overview
These Guidelines set forth broad principles for international co-operation and specific provisions covering notification, information sharing, and assistance with investigations to protect consumers against the growing problem of cross-border fraud, particularly on the Internet. They also cover issues regarding the authority of consumer protection enforcement agencies, invite private-sector co-operation, and set the stage for future work on the issue of consumer redress.
Recommendations
The Guidelines recommend that Member States:
- Establish a domestic system for combating cross-border fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices against consumers.
- Enhance notification, information sharing, and investigative assistance.
- Improve the ability to protect foreign consumers from domestic businesses engaged in fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices.
- Improve the ability to protect domestic consumers from foreign businesses engaged in fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices.
- Consider how to ensure effective redress for victimized consumers, and
- Co-operate with relevant private sector entities.