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EAEU countries develop mechanisms to protect consumers in e-trade
Natalia Zhukova, Director of the EEC Sanitary, Phytosanitary and Veterinary Measures Department, informed on major efforts being made by the Commission’s Technical Regulation Unit to create conditions for equal protection of consumer rights and ensuring the safety of consumer goods and services purchased in the Union’s territory in online mode.
"Issues of implementing business integrity codes and standards take on particular importance in the field of e-trade. This year, as part of implementing the Strategic Directions for Developing the EAEU until 2025, the Commission has defined some principles and criteria of fair business practices in relation to consumers [1], the development of which we see in implementing voluntary standards and codes aimed at self-regulation of Internet trading sphere," Natalia Zhukova noted.
According to her, the Commission works on preparing draft international treaty in the field of e-trade which should address legal gaps and create conditions for implementing the best way to protect consumer rights of citizens in this field.
The round table was attended by representatives of governing bodies, the business community operating in the field of e-trade, public consumer organizations of the Eurasian Economic Union countries, the State of Israel as well as international experts, including representatives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Oksana Konstantinovich, Deputy Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade of the Republic of Belarus, delivered welcoming remarks to the round table attendees. She noted the importance and timeliness of holding a wide-format and in-depth discussion of relevant matters of consumer rights protection in the field of e-trade.
The discussion attendees expressed confidence that the discussion results would lay the foundation for forming efficient interstate mechanisms aimed at protecting the rights and interests of consumer citizens in the field of e-trade.
[1] Recommendation No. 1 of the Commission’s Board dated January 12, 2021 "On the principles and criteria of fair business practices with regard to retail trade consumers"
