Discussion
A starting point for developing principles and guidelines is to clearly identify the problems to be dealt with. ASEAN has noted that the region has enormous potential for greater e-commerce. However, it identified significant barriers to its take-up, including:
• lack of consumer trust•
• an inability to judge the quality of the product during online shopping
• payment fraud
• privacy
• identity theft
• lack of ready and affordable access to complaints systems.
Another useful source for developing e-commerce principles is the APEC Blueprint for Action on Electronic Commerce. The APEC ministers who approved the blueprint did so after:
• recognising the enormous potential of electronic commerce to expand • business opportunities, reduce costs, increase of efficiency, improve the quality of life, and facilitate the greater participation of small business in global commerce
• taking into account the different stages of development of member economies, and the regulatory, social, economic and cultural frameworks in the region
• taking into account that enhancing capability in electronic commerce • among APEC economies, including through economic and technical cooperation, is needed to enable all APEC economies to reap the benefits of electronic commerce.15
Based on these assumptions, the ministers agreed that the role of governments is to promote and facilitate the development and uptake of electronic commerce by:
• providing a favourable environment, including legal and regulatory • aspects, that is predictable, transparent and consistent
• providing an environment that promotes trust and confidence among • electronic commerce participants
• promoting the efficient functioning of electronic commerce • internationally by aiming, wherever possible, to develop domestic frameworks that are compatible with evolving international norms and practices
• becoming a leading-edge user in order to catalyse and encourage • greater use of electronic means …16
Yet another source of principles is the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (as expanded in 1999), which provide in part as follows: