JAKARTA, 3 August 2015 – Recognizing the need to build and strengthen the technical competency of government officials involved in implementing consumer protection, a five-day workshop to validate consumer protection training materials in six key specific sectors of consumer protection was convened last week at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. Experts from relevant agencies, ministries, and consumer protection associations from ASEAN Member States attended.
The six focus areas are i) product safety and labelling; ii) phone and internet services, and e-commerce; iii) consumer credit and banking; iv) environment; v) healthcare services; and vi) professional services.
The modules will serve as pioneering materials for ASEAN Member States, offering comprehensive insights into consumer protection issues in salient and emerging areas of concern and the approach to deal with the issues. Catering to the growth of ASEAN consumers and the increase in the number of consumers demanding rights of access to adequate information, an effective redress mechanism, and product standard and safety requirements, the training modules are developed as an avenue to enhance the proficiency and awareness of officials on the various consumer protection issues and the means by which it can be prevented or resolved.
Key consumer protection issues for each sector, the laws and legislations in each AMS pertaining to these sectors, and the recommended redress mechanisms to resolve consumer protection cases were highlighted. In addition, there was an emphasis on both pre- and post- market intervention by governments and the use of advocacy groups to facilitate consumer interests. The use of illustrations and case studies were given importance. These materials will supplement the policy digests and case studies that have been developed to advocate consumer issues and strengthen consumer awareness of their rights. The Consumer Protection Digest and Case Studies: A Policy Guide (Volume I) can be downloaded through the following link (http://www.asean.org/images/Community/AEC/Sectoral/Consumerprotection/3.%20%20Consumer%20Protection%20Digests%20and%20Case%20Studies%20-%20A%20Policy%20%20Guide%20Volume%201.pdf).
Consumer protection is an integral part of a modern, efficient and competitive ASEAN economy. Consumer protection issues are gaining prominence under a “People-oriented ASEAN” as it affects all ASEAN citizens in their everyday life.
The workshop was facilitated by the UNCTAD Secretariat, experts in the financial, healthcare and product liability fields, and the ASEAN Secretariat. It was convened with the support of the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program II (AADCP II).