Context
Safeguarding the interests and welfare of consumers is a central commitment for a dynamic and peo-ple-centered ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
Effective consumer protection contributes to a conducive and competitive business environment. As consumers hold businesses to higher standards, their trust drives competition, innovation and market participation.
This requires promoting regulatory coherence and convergence across countries in order to encour-age ethical business conduct and empower consumers, particularly in the face of unfair or fraudulent practices in online and cross-border trade.
Objective
The project strives to strengthen national consumer protection systems in order to make markets work for businesses and consumers alike.
Approach
The project applies a two-tier, multi-stakeholder approach by facilitating regional dialogue as well as fostering a "pro-consumer" culture in selected ASEAN Member States.
Project activities are primarily guided by the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan on Consumer Protection (ASAPCP) 2016-2025. Support to Member States to bridge the implementation gap between regional initiatives and national reforms is delivered in the following areas:
• Improving legal and institutional frameworks;
• Consumer access to redress;
• Policy advocacy and public awareness-raising.
Aside from support tailored to specific country contexts, the project enables a continuous knowledge transfer among Member States in an "ASEAN helps ASEAN" approach, for example through peer reviews. This is complemented with cooperation with international organizations to tap into further insights and good practices. Partners include Consumers International, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well as other development partners active in the ASEAN region, notably Australia/New Zealand.