CERC’s inputs incorporated at the Ministerial Declaration at OECD Ministerial Meeting at Paris, October’2024

CERC was part of the delegation of Consumers International, which represented consumers at the first-ever OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial Meeting in Paris in October 2024, titled Consumers at the centre of the digital and green transitions.’ 37 ministers and heads of consumer agencies from 55 countries and 12 international organisations, and key stakeholders attended the OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial meeting. The key outcomes of the meeting include the approval of the Declaration on Protecting and Empowering Consumers in the Digital and Green Transitions, and the formation of the Global Forum on Consumer Policy

CERC, which is on the Board of Trustees of Consumers International, represented the consumer voice and contributed to the Declaration on Protecting and Empowering Consumers in the Digital and Green Transitions. The meeting resulted in the approval of the Declaration, the Global Forum on Consumer Policy. Consumers International’s recommendations were included in the Declaration, along with recommendations from other organizations.

The Ministerial Meeting discussed how policymakers can ensure consumer policies help people navigate these new digital and green products, services and options, by adapting to new technology-related risks, by continuing to prioritise consumer safety, and by ensuring consumer policies are well-co-ordinated with other relevant areas, such as competition, digital and environmental policies.

The OECD also announced the launch of the Global Forum on Consumer Policy. This new forum will bring together policymakers, academics, civil society, businesses, and experts in an inclusive network to collaborate on consumer issues, behavioural economics, technological trends, and emerging consumer policy research.

Proposals to OECD by Consumers International, including inputs from CERC:

Strengthen Regulations Against Harmful Business Practices: Develop comprehensive guidelines to combat manipulative practices such as greenwashing, abusive tactics, and linear consumption models (e.g., single-use versus refillable products).

Sustainable Public Procurement – Establish requirements for public procurement that emphasize the sustainability of materials, products, and services commissioned by the state. This can serve as a powerful incentive to promote sustainable production practices. Effective Contact Points with Consumer Groups: Countries focused on consumer policy and fair competition in the marketplace should implement a robust “informed consent” transparent framework. Invest in Research and Data Collection: Support empirical research to better understand the barriers –

such as infrastructure, market dynamics, cultural factors, policy issues, and behavioural challenges -that consumers face in engaging with the green transition

Global Disparities: Recognize that countries vary in their regulatory capacity and place in the general trade-routes of commodities; therefore, solutions must be adaptable to different contexts and levels of development.