Consumer Protection
Overview Consumer Protection
Consumer protection is an essential tool in building a people-oriented ASEAN Economic Community. The AEC prioritizes the interests and welfare of consumers in the implementation of strategies for achieving an integrated economic region.
Consumer protection laws must ensure fair competition and the free flow of information in the marketplace. At present, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam have principal consumer protection acts. Cambodia is expected to enact its consumer protection law by end of 2016.
The ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP)
As initiated under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, the inter-governmental ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Consumer Protection, later renamed the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP), was established in 2007. The ACCP serve as the focal point to implement and monitor regional arrangements and mechanisms to foster consumer protection in the ASEAN Economic Community. Since the inception of the ACCP notable progress has been made.
In order to steer the implementation of initiatives and commitments under the AEC Blueprint, a strategic approach towards consumer protection has been adopted by the ACCP. This approach contains policy measures and detailed priority actions with specific timeframes for implementation, including the development of a (i) notification and information exchange mechanism on official/voluntary recalled products; (ii) cross border consumer redress mechanism; (iii) research and dialogue on consumer protection; (iv) technical competency for consumer protection in ASEAN; and v) public awareness models and guidelines.
The ACCP website (http://www.aseanconsumer.org), which was launched in 2012, serves as the main reference point for matters pertaining to consumer redress, including the provision of information on (i) basic cross border redress mechanism (handling complaints); (ii) focal point for consumer redress in each AMS; (iii) online/ hotline access to cross border redress mechanism (handling complaints); and (iv) the ACCP.
Post-2015 Consumer Protection Action Plan
Increased globalization, cross border purchasing, changes in consumer demographics and advances in technological innovation are having significant influences on business and consumer behavior in ASEAN countries. These developments require that more effort be made towards advancing the ASEAN consumer protection agenda. The post-2015 consumer protection action plan is currently being developed to chart the future work of the ACCP as well as to strengthen the development and enforcement of consumer protection policies, to meet the challenges of an integrated market.
Contact Points
ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP)
Current Chair of ACCP is Indonesia
Chair:
Mrs. Ganef Judawati
Director
Directorate of Consumer Empowerment
Directorate General of Standardization and Consumer Protection Ministry of Trade