"UN: Guidelines for Consumer Protection, 1999" [2005] ELECD 342; in Tully, Stephen (ed), "International Documents on Corporate Responsibility" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005)

Book Title: International Documents on Corporate Responsibility

Editor(s): Tully, Stephen

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843768197

Section: Chapter 119

Section Title: UN: Guidelines for Consumer Protection, 1999

Number of pages: 4

Extract:

119. UN: Guidelines for Consumer Protection,
1999

Commentary: In recognition that consumer protection influenced economic and
social development, ECOSOC requested the UN Secretary-General to prepare a
survey (1977) and comprehensive report (1979) for the purposes of formulating an
international policy framework (1981). Draft guidelines were prepared in 1983 prior
to their final adoption: UNGA Resolution 39/248 (1985). They were intended to assist
governments to develop national law and policy with respect to consumer protection.
The CSD called for an expanded version (UN Doc E/1995/32) in the light of changing
consumption patterns: see Agenda 21, Chapter 4 and UN Secretary-General Reports,
UN Docs E/CN.17/1995/13 & E/1995/70. ECOSOC made similar requests: ECOSOC
Resolutions 1995/53 and 1997/53. Various proposals were made to incorporate the
concept of sustainable consumption: see UN Secretary-General Report, UN Doc
E/CN.17/1998/5 and the recommendations of the Interregional Expert Group Meeting
on Consumer Protection and Sustainable Consumption, São Paulo, UN Doc
E/CN.17/1998/5. The UNGA Resolution adopting the version of the Guidelines (UN
Doc A/C.2/54/L.24 (1999)) encouraged relevant NGOs to support effective imple-
mentation. The extracts below are limited to corporate roles and responsibilities. The
ICC has also formulated several consumer codes stating best marketing practice: see
the International Code of Advertising Practice (1937 and revised 1949, 1955, 1966,
1973, 1987 and 1997); the Guidelines on Advertising and Marketing on the Internet
(1998); and ...