United Nations

E/1997/61
Economic and Social Council
Distr. GENERAL
13 May 1997
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Substantive session of 1997
Geneva, 30 June-25 July 1997
Item 7 (a) and (b) of te
!"ovisional a#enda$
$ %&1997&100'
(%)*(+S, ,*-,./SI*-S 0-1 (%,*22%-10+I*-S *3 S/4SI1I0(5
4*1I%S6 %,*-*2I, 0-1 %-7I(*-2%-+0. 8/%S+I*-S
,onsume" !"ote9tion
(e!o"t of te Se9"eta"y-Gene"al
---------------------------------------------------------------------
S/220(5
+e !"esent "e!o"t, submitted in 9om!lian9e :it %9onomi9 and
So9ial ,oun9il "esolution 1995&53, "evie:s !"o#"ess a9ieved in te
im!lementation of te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion' It notes
te ste!s tat ave been ta;en by Gove"nments at te national level,
as :ell as "e#ional and inte"national 9oo!e"ation, to !"omote 9onsume"
!"ote9tion'
+e "e!o"t i#li#ts te "esults emanatin# f"om "e#ional
9onfe"en9es& semina"s eld ove" te !ast t:o yea"s in te 0f"i9an and
0sia and )a9ifi9 "e#ions, and ma;es a numbe" of "e9ommendations fo"
te 9onside"ation of te ,oun9il 9on9e"nin# te fu"te" im!lementation
of te #uidelines - in9ludin# 9allin# fo" 9lose" 9oo!e"ation amon# te
9on9e"ned o"#ani<ations of te /nited -ations system - and 9on9e"nin#
te en9ou"a#ement and st"en#tenin# of te b"oad 9oalition and
!a"tne"si! e=istin# bet:een te /nited -ations, inte"national
9onsume" o"#ani<ations, dono"s and ost Gove"nments in tis a"ea' It
is also su##ested tat, based on te "esults a9ieved at "e#ional
9onfe"en9es and semina"s, an inte""e#ional e=!e"t #"ou! be 9onvened to
develo! #uidelines on sustainable 9onsum!tion !atte"ns'
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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)a"a#"a!s
)a#e
I-+(*1/,+I*- '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 1 - >
3
I' I2).%2%-+0+I*- *3 2%0S/(%S 3*( ,*-S/2%( )(*+%,+I*- '''' 5 - >9
>
0' )"o#"ess at te national level '''''''''''''''''''' 5 - 1?
>
4' (e#ional and inte"national 9oo!e"ation '''''''''''' 17 - 25
7
,' +e /nited -ations system ''''''''''''''''''''''''' 2? - >?
9
1' -on-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations '''''''''''''''''''' >7 - >9
13
II' +@% G/I1%.I-%S 3*( ,*-S/2%( )(*+%,+I*- 0-1 S/S+0I-04.%
,*-S/2)+I*- )0++%(-S ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''50 - 5?
1>
III' ,*-,./SI*-S 0-1 (%,*22%-10+I*-S '''''''''''''''''''''''57 - 59
1?
I-+(*1/,+I*-
1' +e %9onomi9 and So9ial ,oun9il, in its "esolution 1995&53 of 2A
July 1995 on 9onsume" !"ote9tion, u"#ed Gove"nments to 9ontinue tei"
effo"ts to im!lement te #uidelines on 9onsume" !"ote9tion, in9ludin#
by 9"eatin# a!!"o!"iate le#al f"ame:o";s and establisin# means to
develo!, im!lement and monito" !oli9ies and !"o#"ammes fo" 9onsume"
!"ote9tion' +e ,oun9il also "e9o#ni<ed te "ole of 9ivil so9iety, in
!a"ti9ula" non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, in !"omotin# te
im!lementation of te #uidelines' 0nd notin# te "e9ommendation of
te ,ommission on Sustainable 1evelo!ment tat te #uidelines fo"
9onsume" !"ote9tion be e=!anded to in9lude #uidelines fo" sustainable
9onsum!tion !atte"ns, 1& te ,oun9il "eBuested te Se9"eta"y-Gene"al,
in
9oo!e"ation :it te develo!ment funds and !"o#"ammes of te /nited
-ations, te "e#ional 9ommissions and ote" "elevant o"#ani<ations and
bodies of te /nited -ations system, to 9ontinue to !"ovide assistan9e
to Gove"nments, at tei" "eBuest, in im!lementin# te #uidelines fo"
9onsume" !"ote9tion, to elabo"ate #uidelines in te a"ea of
sustainable 9onsum!tion !atte"ns, ta;in# into a99ount te :o";
unde"ta;en in ote" inte"#ove"nmental fo"ums, and to e=amine te
!ossible e=tension of tose #uidelines into ote" a"eas' 3inally, te
,oun9il "eBuested te Se9"eta"y-Gene"al to submit a "e!o"t to it at
its substantive session of 1997 on te im!lementation of te
"esolutionC te !"esent "e!o"t as been !"e!a"ed in "es!onse to tat
"eBuest'
2' +e #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion, :i9 :e"e ado!ted by te
Gene"al 0ssembly in its "esolution 39&2>A of 9 0!"il 19A5, "e!"esent
an inte"nationally a99e!ted "e#ulato"y f"ame:o"; tat se"ves as a
basis fo" te elabo"ation and st"en#tenin# of national !oli9ies and
le#islation in te a"ea of 9onsume" !"ote9tion' +ey a"e intended to
!"ote9t 9iti<ens as 9onsume"s t"ou# te im!lementation of a set of
!"in9i!les of fai" and "easonable standa"ds 9ove"in# !ysi9al safetyC
te !"omotion and !"ote9tion of 9onsume"sD e9onomi9 inte"estsC
standa"ds fo" te safety and Buality of #oods and se"vi9esC
dist"ibution fa9ilitiesC "ed"essC and edu9ation and info"mation' +ey
also !"omote inte"national 9oo!e"ation in tis a"ea'
3' Sin9e te ado!tion of te #uidelines, vast 9an#es ave ta;en
!la9e in te #lobal ma";et!la9e tat ma;e it ne9essa"y to assess te
im!a9t of te #uidelines, not only to ensu"e tat intended "esults
ave been a9ieved but also to assess te "elevan9e of te #uidelines
in te li#t of ne: e9onomi9 t"ends' +e #lobali<ation of finan9ial
ma";ets and libe"ali<ation of t"ade, te #"o:in# inte"de!enden9e amon#
9ount"ies, te eme"#en9e of bo"de"less e9onomi9 s!a9es and
de"e#ulation in many a"eas of e9onomi9 a9tivity ave t"ansfo"med te
:o"ld e9onomy, and a"e 9"eatin# ne: dynami9s in te fun9tionin# of te
inte"national ma";ets tat di"e9tly affe9t te 9onsume"'
>' +e !"esent "e!o"t "evie:s te !"o#"ess a9ieved in te !e"iod
bet:een 1995 and 199? at te national, "e#ional and inte"national
levels in te im!lementation of te #uidelines fo" 9onsume"
!"ote9tion' It 9ove"s a9tivities unde"ta;en by Gove"nments, te
!"o#"ammes, funds and o"#ani<ations of te /nited -ations system, and
ote" inte"#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations in im!lementin# te #uidelines'
It also "evie:s a9tivities unde"ta;en by 9ivil so9iety, in !a"ti9ula"
non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, 9on9e"ned :it issues of 9onsume"
!"ote9tion' In tis 9onte=t, !"o#"ess to:a"ds te e=tension of te
#uidelines to te a"ea of sustainable 9onsum!tion !atte"ns and ote"
a"eas is "evie:ed, and "e9ommendations a"e made fo" futu"e a9tion to
e=!and te s9o!e of te #uidelines'
I' I2).%2%-+0+I*- *3 2%0S/(%S 3*( ,*-S/2%( )(*+%,+I*-
0' )"o#"ess at te national level
5' +e "ole of Gove"nments in te !"ote9tion of 9onsume"s in te
mode"n ma";et "emains vital, in !a"ti9ula" in te a"eas of !oli9y-
ma;in#, le#islation and te develo!ment of institutional 9a!a9ity fo"
te enfo"9ement of 9onsume" la:' +e %9onomi9 and So9ial ,oun9il, in
its "esolutions 19AA&?1, 1990&A5 and 1995&53, as en9ou"a#ed
Gove"nments to !"ovide a le#al f"ame:o"; and maintain a st"on#
9onsume" !oli9y fo" te !"ote9tion of 9onsume"s'
?' In 9ount"ies :e"e Gove"nments a"e initiatin# a9tion fo" 9onsume"
!"ote9tion, te #uidelines define an essential !oint of de!a"tu"e fo"
elabo"atin# !oli9ies and le#islation in o"de" to !"ote9t te 9onsume"
in su9 a"eas as ealt and safety, a99ess to #oods and se"vi9es, and
measu"es fo" "ed"ess' In ote" 9ount"ies, te #uidelines #ene"ally
9ontinue to se"ve as an inst"ument to assist Gove"nments in
identifyin# a"eas :e"e fu"te" su!!o"tive a9tions a"e ne9essa"y fo"
te !"ote9tion of 9iti<ens as 9onsume"s'
7' In te !e"iod unde" "evie:, a numbe" of Gove"nments ave "e!o"ted
tat tey ave made use of and 9ited te #uidelines as a f"ame:o"; fo"
tei" effo"ts to develo! and st"en#ten 9onsume" !"ote9tion !oli9y and
le#islation' +e a9tion unde"ta;en in9ludes te establisment of
minist"ies and offi9es 9on9e"ned s!e9ifi9ally :it issues of 9onsume"
affai"sC te fo"mulation of national 9onsume" !oli9y and "elevant la:s
and a9tsC te elabo"ation of 9om!etition la:C te elabo"ation of
9onsume" edu9ation !"o#"ammes and te dissemination of 9onsume"
!"ote9tion info"mationC and te !"omotion of !a"ti9i!ation by
9onsume"sD o"#ani<ations in as!e9ts of te de9ision-ma;in# !"o9ess in
a"eas of 9onsume" !"ote9tion'
A' Some 9ount"ies ave "e!o"ted te e=isten9e :itin tei"
Gove"nments of s!e9ifi9 minist"ies and&o" ministe"s fo" 9onsume"
affai"s' +ese in9lude S:eden, %stonia, and +"inidad and +oba#o,
:ile ote" 9ount"ies, su9 as -o":ay, ,y!"us, Slovenia, 4ela"us,
1enma"; and 2e=i9o, ave establised de!a"tments and&o" offi9es
9on9e"ned solely :it 9onsume" !"ote9tion' 0 9ommission fo" te
!"ote9tion of te 9onsume" as been establised in )e"u, and )o"tu#al
as establised a 9onsume" institute and a national 9onsume" 9oun9il
fo" !"omotin# and safe#ua"din# 9onsume" "i#ts and e=e9utin# measu"es
aimed at tei" !"ote9tion' In 0ust"alia, te ministe" of te
Gove"nment "es!onsible fo" small business and 9onsume" affai"s, :it
te assistan9e of an adviso"y 9oun9il of 9onsume" affai"s, is
"es!onsible fo" issues "elated to 9onsume" !"ote9tion, and #ove"nment
ministe"s "es!onsible fo" 9onsume" affai"s ave also been a!!ointed at
te state and te""ito"y levels' In addition, 0ust"alia as
establised a ministe"ial 9oun9il on 9onsume" affai"s, :i9 in9ludes
te ministe"s "es!onsible fo" fai" t"adin#, 9onsume" !"ote9tion la:s,
t"ade measu"ement and 9"edit la: at te state and te""ito"y levels'
Eimbab:e as establised an institutional st"u9tu"e fo" 9onsume"
!"ote9tion, involvin# seve"al minist"ies and de!a"tments'
9' Gene"ally, Gove"nments 9ontinue to indi9ate te usefulness of te
f"ame:o"; of te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion in te
9onside"ation of te develo!ment of 9onsume" !oli9y and la: and
"elated 9odes fo" te !"ote9tion of te 9onsume" (,y!"us, 2e=i9o,
%9uado", Italy, %stonia and .ituania)C te ado!tion of state !oli9y
on 9onsume" !"ote9tion (4ela"us)C te in9o"!o"ation of elements of te
#uidelines (!ysi9al safety, 9onsume"sD e9onomi9 inte"ests, "ed"ess
measu"es) in 9onsume" !"ote9tion la: ()e"u)C and as an im!o"tant !oint
of "efe"en9e in te en9ou"a#ement of a9tivities in tis a"ea
(Ge"many)' 0ust"alia as develo!ed !oli9ies fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion
at te national, state and te""ito"y levels in line :it all te
elements of te #uidelines' )o"tu#al as establised a 9om!"eensive
le#al system on 9onsume" !"ote9tion t"ou# te ado!tion of a la:
:i9 in9ludes !"ovisions to !"ote9t te use"s of essential !ubli9
se"vi9es, su9 as :ate", ele9t"i9ity, #as and tele!one se"vi9es'
Slovenia is 9u""ently in te !"o9ess of !"e!a"in# a la: on 9onsume"
!"ote9tion, and te Gove"nment of *man is in te !"o9ess of
establisin# #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion'
10' 0 numbe" of 9ount"ies a"e !"omotin# a9tivities "elated to te
elabo"ation and enfo"9ement of 9om!etition la: and !oli9y, and a"e
add"essin# 9onsume" !"ote9tion issues in tat 9onte=t' 0ust"alia as
establised a 9om!etition and 9onsume" 9ommission, and is im!lementin#
!"ovisions of 9om!etition !oli9y at te state and te""ito"y levels
:it a vie: to develo!in# a 9om!etitive e9onomi9 envi"onment :it
unifo"m "ules and "i#ts fo" 9onsume"s and business' Eimbab:e as
ena9ted a 9om!etition la:, and it is envisa#ed tat a t"ade
9om!etition 9ommission, to be establised in te nea" futu"e, :ill be
administe"in# su9 a la:' ,y!"us is im!lementin# a 9om!etition la:,
:ile 4olivia is 9u""ently !"e!a"in# a 9ode on te :o";in#s and
fun9tionin# of ma";ets tat :ill in9lude issues of 9onsume" !"ote9tion
and 9om!etition' %9uado", Italy, 2e=i9o, %stonia and .ituania a"e
unde"ta;in# :o"; in te fo"mulation of "elated 9om!etition !oli9y and
la:'
11' In su9 9ount"ies as ,y!"us, Gana, S:eden, .ituania, 1enma";
and
2e=i9o, a numbe" of a9tivities ave fo9used on te fo"mulation and&o"
st"en#tenin# of standa"ds, "e#ulations and "ules on food and !"odu9ts
safety' In 0ust"alia, a9tivities ave in9luded te int"odu9tion of
st"ate#ies to "edu9e o" "emove !ysi9al a<a"ds asso9iated :it
9onsume" !"odu9ts, te enan9ement of !"odu9t safety standa"ds and
tei" enfo"9ement, and te int"odu9tion of 9"edit and indust"y 9odes,
in9ludin# dis!ute "esolution s9emes'
12' Gove"nments ave also 9a""ied out edu9ational out"ea9
!"o#"ammes,
in9ludin# te use of media and adve"tisin# and te o"#ani<ation of
sym!osia, 9onfe"en9es and semina"s' 0 t:o-day sym!osium on food
se9u"ity and nut"ition :as o"#ani<ed in +"inidad and +oba#o in
9ommemo"ation of te Fo"ld ,onsume"s (i#ts 1ay' 0 !"o#"amme fo" te
dissemination of info"mation to 9onsume"s :as develo!ed in )e"u on
tat o99asion, and 4ela"us 9ommemo"ated te event unde" te slo#an
GSafe !"odu9ts fo" allG' +"ainin# a9tivities, in9ludin# semina"s and
:o";so!s on issues of 9onsume" !"ote9tion, ave also ta;en !la9e in
)e"u'
13' +e %u"o!ean ,onfe"en9e on ,onsume" %du9ation in S9ools, eld at
Sto9;olm in 1993, establised te %u"o!ean -et:o"; of ,onsume"
%du9ato"s, :i9 as sin9e sta"ted te !ubli9ation of its ne:slette"
-i9e-2ail' +e Inte"net is bein# used as a medium fo" disseminatin#
9onsume" edu9ation' 3o" e=am!le, te -o":e#ian ,onsume" ,oun9il as a
ome !a#e on te S9ool -et:o"; of te -o":e#ian ,ent"e fo"
%du9ational (esou"9es, and 0ust"alia is 9onside"in# te use of tis
me9anism fo" te dissemination of info"mation on !"odu9t "e9all
!"ovisions' (elated 9ou"ses ave been int"odu9ed in te -o":e#ian
se9onda"y s9ool system, and also at te !"ima"y level in 1enma";'
4ela"us e=!e9ts to develo! in 1997 a !ilot !"o#"amme on G9onsume"
lite"a9yG fo" students in vo9ational and te9ni9al s9ools, and also
at inte"mediate and i#e" edu9ational institutions' +e bulletin
,onsum!tion :it ,a"e, !ublised in )e"u, !"ovides 9onsume"
info"mation on su9 issues as 9onsume" "i#ts, availability of #oods
and se"vi9es, and "ed"ess measu"es'
1>' 09tivities "elated to !"odu9t testin# and dissemination of
"elevant info"mation t"ou# te media ave been su!!o"ted di"e9tly by
Gove"nments o" t"ou# 9onsume" o"#ani<ations in Slovenia and 4ela"us,
amon# ote" 9ount"ies' @otline tele!one se"vi9es ave been
establised in 4ela"us to !"ovide advi9e to 9onsume"s as :ell as
institutes fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion' 2easu"es fo" fa9ilitatin# "ed"ess
to 9onsume"s also in9lude te use of tele!one se"vi9es (otlines),
fo" e=am!le in )e"u, :e"e tis se"vi9e a99ounts fo" ove" t"ee
fou"ts of 9onsume"sD 9om!laints' +e /nited States of 0me"i9a is
!u"suin# 9onsume" !"ote9tion a9tivities in te a"eas of
tele9ommuni9ation, !"ote9tion of !e"sonal data and telema";etin#'
15' 09tivities fo" !"omotin# inte"national 9oo!e"ation in9lude te
!"ovision of adviso"y assistan9e and te sa"in# of info"mation and
t"ainin#' +"inidad and +oba#o !"ovided on-te-Hob t"ainin# to
offi9e"s of ote" membe" States of te ,a"ibbean ,ommunity on issues
of 9onsume" !"ote9tion, and 0ust"alia, t"ou# su!!o"t !"ovided to te
Sout )a9ifi9 ,onsume" )"ote9tion )"o#"amme, as assisted in te
develo!ment of 9onsume" le#islation and !"omotion of 9onsume"
o"#ani<ations in Sout )a9ifi9 island States, su9 as )a!ua -e:
Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and +on#a' 0ust"alia as !"omoted
t"ainin# a9tivities t"ou# te e=9an#e of staff involved in issues
of 9onsume" affai"s :it ,anada and -e: Eealand'
1?' Gove"nments "e9o#ni<e te im!o"tant "ole of 9ivil so9iety, in
!a"ti9ula" non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, in !"omotin# 9onsume"
!"ote9tion' In a numbe" of 9ount"ies, su9 as +"inidad and +oba#o,
Gana, +o#o, %9uado", 2e=i9o, Italy, Slovenia, 4ela"us and )o"tu#al,
9ollabo"ative "elations ave been develo!ed bet:een #ove"nment offi9es
and 9onsume" asso9iations' Ge"many as 9ontinued to su!!o"t 9onsume"
o"#ani<ations tat fo9us on 9onsume" info"mation and advi9e in te
food se9to", ene"#y 9onse"vation, and envi"onmentally sound 9onsume"
beaviou"' Su!!o"t as also been !"ovided to 9onsume" o"#ani<ations
in te o"#ani<ation of t"ainin# semina"s fo" te dissemination of
9onsume" info"mation, te elabo"ation of !"o#"ammes on 9onsume"
edu9ation in s9ools, te !"ote9tion of 9onsume"s on issues of "ed"ess
and solution of 9om!laints' +e Gove"nment of Eimbab:e as 9ontinued
to su!!o"t a "elated non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ation :o";in# in tis
a"ea, tus 9"eatin# an enablin# envi"onment fo" su9 o"#ani<ations to
unde"ta;e many a9tivities' +ese in9lude 9onsume" edu9ation and
a:a"eness !"o#"ammes, assistan9e in te monito"in# and enfo"9ement of
standa"ds (food, Buality of #oods and se"vi9es), and in te
fo"mulation of le#islation, su9 as 9ont"a9ts, and te establisment
of dis!ute solvin# me9anisms, amon# ote"s' 0 9onsume" edu9ation
9ent"e as been establised in 4ela"us on te initiative of 9onsume"
o"#ani<ations' In ,y!"us, 9onsume" asso9iations ave been
!a"ti9i!atin# in 9onsume" 9onsultative 9ommittees to enan9e te "ole
of te 9onsume" in te de9ision-ma;in# !"o9ess "elated to 9onsume"
issues'
4' (e#ional and inte"national 9oo!e"ation
17' +e %9onomi9 and So9ial ,oun9il, by its "esolution 1995&53,
"e9o#ni<ed te im!o"tant "ole of 9ivil so9iety, in !a"ti9ula"
non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, in !"omotin# te im!lementation of te
#uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion' +e 1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y
,oo"dination and Sustainable 1evelo!ment of te /nited -ations
Se9"eta"iat as :o";ed 9losely :it te most !"ominent
non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ation in te a"ea of 9onsume" !"ote9tion,
,onsume"s Inte"national, bot t"ou# its eadBua"te"s and its
"e#ional offi9es in 0f"i9a, %u"o!e, 0sia and .atin 0me"i9a, in
a9tivities desi#ned to !"omote te im!lementation of te #uidelines'
1A' 0 salient featu"e of tis 9ollabo"ation as been te o"#ani<ation
sin9e ea"ly 19A7 of a se"ies of "e#ional semina"s and 9onfe"en9es on
9onsume" !"ote9tion' +ese semina"s and 9onfe"en9es assist in
b"in#in# to#ete" all te a9to"s f"om bot te !ubli9 and !"ivate
se9to"s 9on9e"ned :it issues of 9onsume" !"ote9tion fo" e=9an#e of
ideas and e=!e"ien9es, el! to disseminate info"mation on
develo!ments, and establis te #"ound:o"; fo" le#islative and
institutional develo!ment in te va"ious "e#ions on tis a"ea'
19' 1u"in# te !e"iod unde" "evie:, ,onsume"s Inte"national, in
9ollabo"ation :it te 1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y ,oo"dination and
Sustainable 1evelo!ment and :it te su!!o"t of te %u"o!ean /nion and
te Gove"nment of Eimbab:e, o"#ani<ed te 0f"i9a ,onfe"en9e on
,onsume" )"ote9tion, :i9 :as eld at @a"a"e f"om 2A 0!"il to 2 2ay
199?' Gove"nment offi9ials f"om ove" 35 0f"i9an 9ount"ies, 9onsume"
leade"s and e=!e"ts f"om 9ount"ies of te "e#ion, and membe"s of te
inte"national 9ommunity 9on9e"ned :it issues of 9onsume" !"ote9tion
attended te ,onfe"en9e' +e ,onfe"en9e laun9ed te 2odel .a: fo"
0f"i9a, desi#ned to !"ote9t te 0f"i9an 9onsume" and se"ve as a #uide
fo" 0f"i9an Gove"nments in tei" effo"ts to develo! a!!"o!"iate
!oli9ies and le#islation and enfo"9ement me9anisms in tis a"ea'
Gana as al"eady indi9ated tat te 2odel .a: fo" 0f"i9a is bein#
studied fo" use in te elabo"ation of its national 9onsume" !"ote9tion
!oli9y'
20' +e ,onfe"en9e "e9o#ni<ed te im!o"tant !"o#"ess bein# a9ieved
in
te !"omotion of te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion in 0f"i9a' It
st"essed te need fo" te 9ount"ies of te "e#ion to st"en#ten
measu"es to ena9t and enfo"9e 9onsume" !"ote9tion !oli9ies and
le#islation, sin9e te"e :e"e still 1? 9ount"ies in te "e#ion tat
did not ave 9onsume" o"#ani<ations o" bodies 9on9e"ned :it issues of
9onsume" !"ote9tion' +at :as !a"ti9ula"ly im!o"tant and u"#ent in
te li#t of te #"o:in# #lobali<ation and libe"ali<ation of te :o"ld
e9onomy, and te !otential im!a9t of tose t"ends on 9onsume"s at te
national level' 0 numbe" of a"eas tat "eBui"ed te s!e9ial attention
of te 9ount"ies of te "e#ion :e"e identified, in !a"ti9ula" ealt,
safety, a99ess to basi9 se"vi9es and measu"es fo" "ed"ess' +e
,onfe"en9e also e=amined te e=tension of te #uidelines into ote"
a"eas, su9 as sustainable 9onsum!tion !atte"ns'
21' In Janua"y 1997, ,onsume"s Inte"national, t"ou# its "e#ional
offi9e fo" 0sia and te )a9ifi9, and te ,onsume" /nity and +"ust
So9iety of India o"#ani<ed an inte"national 9onfe"en9e at -e: 1eli on
te teme G,onsume"s in te #lobal a#eG, in 9oo!e"ation :it te
1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y ,oo"dination and Sustainable 1evelo!ment and
:it te su!!o"t of te %u"o!ean ,ommission, te Gove"nments of India,
te -ete"lands and S:eden, and te /nited -ations 1evelo!ment
)"o#"amme (/-1))' *te" non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, su9 as
,onsume"s /nion and te 3"eid"i9 %be"t 3oundation, also !"ovided
su!!o"t fo" te 9onfe"en9e' +e event :as te se9ond meetin# on
9onsume" !"ote9tion fo" te 9ount"ies of te "e#ionC te fi"st, a
"e#ional semina", :as eld at 4an#;o; in June 1990'
22' +e 9onfe"en9e at -e: 1eli :as attended by ove" 200 !a"ti9i!ants
f"om Gove"nments, inte"#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, inte"national and
national non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations and e=!e"ts f"om ove" 30
9ount"ies' +e 9onfe"en9e "evie:ed te !"o#"ess a9ieved in te
im!lementation of te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion in te
9ount"ies of te "e#ion, and 9onside"ed te issue of te e=tension of
te #uidelines into ote" a"eas' )"o#"ess :as made to:a"ds te
elabo"ation of a model la: fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion fo" te 0sia and
)a9ifi9 "e#ion' 0t te 9onfe"en9e, an 0sia and )a9ifi9 9onsume"
!"ote9tion net:o"; of #ove"nment offi9ials of te 9ount"ies of te
"e#ion :as establised, :i9 a numbe" of 9ount"ies ave al"eady
Hoined'
23' In %u"o!e, te %u"o!ean ,ommission, a!a"t f"om !"ovidin# su!!o"t
fo" te above-mentioned 9onfe"en9es and semina"s, 9ontinues to ado!t
le#islation, "e#ulations and di"e9tives in te field of 9onsume"
!oli9y' +e ,ommissionDs !"io"ities fo" 9onsume" !oli9y in te !e"iod
199?-199A in9luded 10 b"oad a"eas of a9tion, amon# :i9 a"e effo"ts
to im!"ove te edu9ation and info"mation of 9onsume"s, te !"ote9tion
of 9onsume"sD inte"ests in te su!!ly of essential se"vi9es of !ubli9
utility, in9"eased 9onsume" "e!"esentation, 9onsume" as!e9ts of
finan9ial se"vi9es, te im!"ovement of 9onsume" 9onfiden9e in
foodstuffs, and te en9ou"a#ement of a !"a9ti9al a!!"oa9 to
sustainable 9onsum!tion'
2>' 0 numbe" of 9ount"ies, in !a"ti9ula" -o":ay, S:eden, Italy,
Slovenia, %stonia and ,y!"us, ave st"essed te im!o"tan9e of te "ole
of te %u"o!ean ,ommission in 9onsume" !"ote9tion' Italy, -o":ay and
S:eden ave ta;en ste!s to ada!t tei" national !oli9y on 9onsume"
!"ote9tion to %u"o!ean /nion la:s, "e#ulations and di"e9tives, and
Slovenia as indi9ated tat it :ill ada!t its la: on 9onsume"
!"ote9tion, 9u""ently unde" elabo"ation, to %u"o!ean ,ommission
di"e9tives' ItalyDs a!!"oa9 to its national 9onsume" !oli9y is based
almost enti"ely on %u"o!ean ,ommission #uidelines' Ge"many as
9onside"ed te di"e9tives of te %u"o!ean ,ommission on va"ious issues
of 9onsume" !"ote9tion, in !a"ti9ula" on #ene"al food safety issues,
insu"an9e le#islation and "e#ulations on te establisment of
9ont"a9ts, and :ill adHust its national la: on 9om!etition to %u"o!ean
/nion 9om!etition le#islation' S:eden is :o";in# a9tively fo"
st"en#tened 9onsume" influen9e :itin te /nion, :ile st"on#ly
su!!o"tin# 9u""ent :o"; :itin te /nion in 9onne9tion :it distant
sales, !"i9e info"mation, t"ansbo"de" !ayments, #ua"antees, te
solution of dis!utes and Buestions "elated to foodstuffs' S:eden and
-o":ay a"e a9tive !a"ti9i!ants in te e9o-labellin# !"o#"amme :itin
te %u"o!ean /nion, unde" :i9, so fa", some 900 !"odu9ts ave been
a:a"ded te -o"di9 S:an ma";in# of e=9ellen9e&Buality'
25' +e maHo"ity of membe" 9ount"ies of te *"#anisation fo" %9onomi9
,oo!e"ation and 1evelo!ment (*%,1) ave institutional and "e#ulato"y
f"ame:o";s in te field of 9onsume" !oli9y tat #ene"ally 9ove" all
te elements of te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion' +e *%,1
,ommittee on ,onsume" )oli9y follo:s 9losely te im!lementation of te
#uidelines in *%,1 membe" 9ount"ies'
,' +e /nited -ations system
2?' ,onsume" !"ote9tion issues a"e "e9eivin# in9"easin# attention
f"om
te o"#ani<ations of te /nited -ations system'
27' +e 1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y ,oo"dination and Sustainable
1evelo!ment
as not only develo!ed a net:o"; of 9ollabo"ation and !a"tne"si! :it
non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations and "elevant inte"#ove"nmental
o"#ani<ations but also :o";s 9losely in tis a"ea :it 9on9e"ned
o"#ani<ations of te system, su9 as /-1), te /nited -ations
,onfe"en9e on +"ade and 1evelo!ment (/-,+01), te "e#ional 9ommissions
and te s!e9iali<ed a#en9ies, :it a vie: to ensu"in# te effe9tive
use of its limited "esou"9es to ma=imi<e te im!a9t of its a9tivities'
2o"e s!e9ifi9ally, in te a"ea of 9onsume" safety, te 1e!a"tment
9ontinues to 9ollabo"ate :it Fo"ld @ealt *"#ani<ation (F@*) and te
/nited -ations %nvi"onment )"o#"amme&Inte"national (e#iste" of
)otentially +o=i9 ,emi9als in te !ubli9ation of te ,onsolidated
.ist of )"odu9ts Fose ,onsum!tion and&o" Sale @ave 4een 4anned,
Fitd"a:n, Seve"ely (est"i9ted o" not 0!!"oved by Gove"nments' +e
.ist 9onsolidates all info"mation on !"odu9ts a"mful to ealt and
te envi"onment, and 9ontains info"mation on "e#ulato"y a9tions ta;en
by 9> Gove"nments on ove" 700 !a"ma9euti9als, a#"i9ultu"al and
indust"ial 9emi9als' In addition to F@* and te /nited -ations
%nvi"onment )"o#"amme (/-%)), te Fo"ld +"ade *"#ani<ation (F+*), te
3ood and 0#"i9ultu"e *"#ani<ation of te /nited -ations (30*) and te
Inte"national .abou" *"#ani<ation (I.*) also !a"ti9i!ate in tis
a9tivity' +e .ist is :idely used by Gove"nments and non-#ove"nmental
o"#ani<ations in tei" effo"ts to 9onside" te s9o!e fo" "e#ulato"y
measu"es'
2A' /-,+01 as 9ontinued its a9tivities fo" te !"omotion and
!"ote9tion of 9onsume"s t"ou# its adviso"y se"vi9es and te9ni9al
assistan9e !"o#"amme' +e Set of 2ultilate"ally 0#"eed %Buitable
)"in9i!les and (ules fo" te ,ont"ol of (est"i9tive 4usiness )"a9ti9es
(0&,'2&35&?, anne=), ado!ted by te Gene"al 0ssembly in its "esolution
35&?3 of 5 1e9embe" 19A0, :as "evalidated by te +i"d /nited -ations
,onfe"en9e to (evie: all 0s!e9ts of te Set in 1995' In add"essin#
te a"ea of 9om!etition la: and !oli9y, /-,+01 !"omotes innovative
a9tivities by indust"y leadin# to a #"eate" va"iety of #oods and
se"vi9es, and lo:e" !"i9es' Fit te finan9ial su!!o"t of /-1) and
bilate"al dono"s, /-,+01 !"ovides adviso"y se"vi9es to national
9om!etition la: a#en9ies, o"#ani<es :o";so!s and semina"s, and
!"e!a"es te9ni9al studies and "e!o"ts on issues of 9om!etition !oli9y
and la:' +ese !"o#"ammes, di"e9ted in !a"ti9ula" to develo!in#
9ount"ies and e9onomies in t"ansition, also assist in ada!tin# to te
!"o9ess of #lobali<ation and libe"ali<ation of t"ade'
29' 0t its nint session, eld at 2id"and, Sout 0f"i9a, in 199?,
/-,+01 #ave !"ominen9e to 9onsume" !"ote9tion issues (see +1 37A,
!a"as' 29, >3, 91 (III) and 97 (ii))' +us, "elated :o"; of /-,+01
:ill fo9us on te e=amination of te "elevan9e of 9onsume" !"ote9tion
and 9om!etition to develo!ment, and :ill su!!o"t st"ate#ies fo"
!"omotin# national 9om!etition' /-,+01 and te 1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y
,oo"dination and Sustainable 1evelo!ment of te /nited -ations
Se9"eta"iat :ill :o"; 9losely in #ate"in# info"mation on te e=tent
to :i9 9ount"ies ave elabo"ated 9onsume" !"ote9tion le#islation, as
:ell as on e=istin# a""an#ements fo" te im!lementation of su9
le#islation'
30' +e /-%) ,ode of %ti9s on te Inte"national +"ade in ,emi9als
en9ou"a#es i# levels of eti9al 9ondu9t fo" !"ivate-se9to" !a"ties
en#a#ed in te !"odu9tion and mana#ement of 9emi9als, by settin# out
!"in9i!les #ove"nin# standa"ds fo" te envi"onmentally sound
mana#ement of 9emi9als in inte"national t"ade'
31' In te !e"iod unde" "evie:, te %9onomi9 ,ommission fo" %u"o!e
(%,%) fo9used on te elabo"ation of standa"ds fo" !e"isable !"odu9e'
+e %,% inte"#ove"nmental !a"ty on te standa"di<ation of !e"isable
!"odu9e and Buantity develo!ment, in 9oo!e"ation :it te 30*&F@*
,ode= 0limenta"ius ,ommission, as elabo"ated 9omme"9ial Buality
standa"ds fo" !e"isable !"odu9e' +e standa"ds fa9ilitate t"ade
bet:een e=!o"te"s and im!o"te"s, and also !"ovide info"mation on
ealt and #ene"al 9onsume" !"ote9tion 9"ite"ia' Fo";so!s and
t"ainin# semina"s on 9omme"9ial Buality standa"ds ave ta;en !la9e in
%aste"n %u"o!ean 9ount"ies to ensu"e adeBuate !"odu9t Buality 9ont"ol
and !"omote te a:a"eness of 9onsume"s' Standa"ds on !"o9essed,
semi-!"o9essed and "a: foods, in9ludin# food y#iene and additives,
!esti9ide "esidues, 9ontaminants, labellin# and !"esentation, as :ell
as metods of analysis and sam!lin#, ave also been develo!ed'
,u""ent ne#otiations on te !"oto9ols on nit"o#en o=ides and "elated
substan9es of !e"sistent o"#ani9 !ollutants and eavy metals
in9"easin#ly add"ess uman ealt-"elated Buestions' In addition,
a9tion as been sta"ted to ban o" "est"i9t te use of 15 to=i9
!esti9ides and ote" 9emi9als :it im!li9ations of ealt "is;s'
32' +e %9onomi9 ,ommission fo" .atin 0me"i9a and te ,a"ibbean
(%,.0,) 9ontinues to 9ollabo"ate :it ,onsume"s Inte"national in te
a"ea of 9onsume" !"ote9tion, in9ludin# 9onsume" le#islation, t"ade,
e9onomi9 inte#"ation and 9onsume" !"ote9tion, !ubli9 se"vi9es and
sustainable 9onsum!tion' %,.0, !a"ti9i!ated in te ti"d ,onsume"s
Inte"national "e#ional 9onfe"en9e fo" .atin 0me"i9a and te ,a"ibbean
on e9onomi9 inte#"ation and 9onsume" !"ote9tion, eld at Sao )aulo in
*9tobe" 1995, and it also !a"ti9i!ated in te fi"st %u"o!ean and .atin
0me"i9an ,onsume"sD ,on#"ess, eld at 2ad"id in -ovembe" 1995, :i9
dealt :it issues of le#islation, develo!ment and 9onsume" !"ote9tion'
33' +e Fo"ld 3ood )"o#"amme (F3)) obse"ves s!e9ifi9 "e9ommendations
of te ,ode= 0limenta"ius ,ommission in te a"ea of food safety and
se9u"ity' 0ll si!ments of food, in9ludin# inte"national and lo9al
!u"9ases of food !"odu9ts (:i9 9onstitute a!!"o=imately alf of
F3)Ds annual food !u"9ases), follo: tese "e9ommendations' F3) also
meets te ,ommission "eBui"ements in te"ms of te ma";in# and
labellin# of 9ommodities it dist"ibutes'
3>' F3) as disseminated its lo#isti9 e=!e"ien9e on dist"ibution
fa9ilities and Buality 9ont"ol in a numbe" of 9ount"ies t"ou#
t"ainin# of 9ounte"!a"t staff involved in t"ans!o"t and sto"a#e of
9ommodities, and in te establisment and im!"ovement of a"bou" and
:a"eousin# fa9ilities, dist"ibution 9ent"es and t"ans!o"t systems'
35' In 9oo!e"ation :it te /nited -ations ,ild"enDs 3und (/-I,%3),
F3) as 9a""ied out nut"ition edu9ation 9am!ai#ns ta"#eted to
vulne"able #"ou!s of !o!ulation, in !a"ti9ula" 9ild"en, in9ludin#
s9ool9ild"en, !"e#nant :omen and nu"sin# mote"s' F3) follo:s
establised #uidelines fo" te dist"ibution of mil; !"odu9ts :ile
!"omotin# b"eastfeedin# !"a9ti9es'
3?' 30* !ays !a"ti9ula" attention to te !"ote9tion of 9onsume"s
a#ainst ealt a<a"ds and e9onomi9 losses asso9iated :it
9ontaminated and&o" adulte"ated foods'
37' +e Hoint 30*&F@* ,ode= 0limenta"ius ,ommission, 9om!"isin# 15?
membe" 9ount"ies, as 9ontinued to fo"mulate inte"national standa"ds
and 9odes of !"a9ti9e on a :ide "an#e of food 9ommodities, as :ell as
"e9ommendations on issues "elated to food safety' Gene"ally, tose
standa"ds a"e ado!ted and in9o"!o"ated in national le#islation' +e
/"u#uay (ound of multilate"al t"ade a#"eements also "e9o#ni<ed tose
standa"ds as te ben9ma"; fo" Buality and safety "eBui"ements fo"
food in inte"national t"ade' +e ,ommission !"omotes te ado!tion of
o!en date ma";etin# and in#"edient labellin#, and it as ado!ted a
9ode of eti9s "elated to te t"ade of food'
3A' 1u"in# te !e"iod unde" "evie:, a numbe" of Hoint 30*&F@*
a9tivities ave ta;en !la9e6 an e=!e"t 9ommittee on food additives
9a""ied out evaluations on te to=i9ity of food additives, its
te9ni9al uses, and s!e9ifi9ations fo" its identity and !u"ity, and
!"ovided advi9e on te a99e!tan9e levels of dieta"y inta;e of food
additives, 9ontaminants, and "esidues of vete"ina"y d"u#s in animal
!"odu9tsC an e=!e"t 9onsultation on te a!!li9ation of "is; analysis
to food standa"ds !"ovided advi9e on te use of "is; analysis
!"in9i!les in food standa"ds develo!mentC a simila" 9onsultation on
"is; mana#ement made "e9ommendations on te a!!li9ation of "is;
mana#ement in food safety matte"sC and a meetin# on !esti9ide "esidues
evaluated te to=i9ity of !esti9ide "esidues in food, and !"ovided
"e9ommendations on te a99e!table levels of tose "esidues :itin te
9onte=t of inte"national t"ade' +ose "e9ommendations "e!"esent te
basis fo" "elated "ules establised by te ,ode= 0limenta"ius
,ommission'
39' In addition, a Hoint 30*&F@* 9onsultation on te !"e!a"ation and
use of food-based dieta"y #uidelines and an 30* e=!e"t 9onsultation on
nut"ition edu9ation fo" te !ubli9 !"odu9ed a numbe" of
"e9ommendations on issues of nut"ition edu9ation' +e "esultin#
!ubli9ation, Get te 4est f"om 5ou" 3ood, as been t"anslated into
seve"al lan#ua#es and ada!ted fo" use in a numbe" of 9ount"ies, and
t:o "esou"9e boo;s, @uman -ut"ition in te 1evelo!in# Fo"ld and 3ood,
-ut"ition and 0#"i9ultu"e fo" 0f"i9an +ea9e"s, unde" !ubli9ation,
sould assist in t"ainin# a9tivities in nut"ition, 9onsume" !"ote9tion
and food se9u"ity' 0n 30* meetin# on te inte#"ation of 9onsume"
inte"est in food 9ont"ol, fo" te 9ount"ies of te .atin 0me"i9a and
,a"ibbean "e#ion, ado!ted "e9ommendations to enan9e te !a"ti9i!ation
of 9onsume" "e!"esentatives in te de9ision-ma;in# !"o9ess "elated to
food Buality 9ont"ol, 9onsume" edu9ation and a:a"eness'
>0' +e /-%)&30* !"o#"amme on !"io" info"med 9onsent :it "es!e9t to
a#"i9ultu"al, indust"ial and 9onsume" 9emi9als, in :i9 125
9ount"ies !a"ti9i!ate, is e=!e9ted to be9ome le#ally bindin# in te
nea" futu"e' In a99o"dan9e :it te !"ovisions of te !"o#"amme, an
inte"national si!ment of a 9emi9al o" !esti9ide tat is banned o"
seve"ely "est"i9ted o" is ;no:n to be 9ausin# ealt o" envi"onmental
!"oblems :ill not !"o9eed :itout te e=!li9it a#"eement of te
desi#nated national auto"ity in te im!o"tin# 9ount"y' 0ny de9ision
bannin# o" seve"ely "est"i9tin# te im!o"t of a 9emi9al must also
a!!ly eBually to !"odu9tion fo" domesti9 use'
>1' +e /nited -ations Indust"ial 1evelo!ment *"#ani<ation (/-I1*)
!"o#"amme on "is; "edu9tion in te a#"o9emi9al indust"y, 9om!"isin#
te "e#ional net:o"; fo" !esti9ides in 0sia and te )a9ifi9, and te
0f"o-0"abi9 net:o"; fo" "is; "edu9tion in a#"o9emi9als develo!ment,
as in9luded te develo!ment of #uidelines and te ado!tion of
inte"national standa"ds on a#"o9emi9als !"odu9tion and use'
>2' /-I1*, in 9oo!e"ation :it /-I,%3 and /-1), also !"omotes te use
of iodi<ed salt fo" te elimination of iodine defi9ien9y diso"de"sC
data 9olle9tion, Buality 9ont"ol and 9ont"ol of te iodine 9ontent of
salt ave been em!asi<ed' 0ttention as also been #iven to :o";
"elated to !a"ma9euti9als' 0 !"oHe9t entitled GInte#"ated
develo!ment of national !a"ma9euti9al indust"yG, 9ondu9ted in te
Sy"ian 0"ab (e!ubli9, in9luded te !"ovision of adviso"y se"vi9es fo"
te elabo"ation of "elated !oli9y and le#islation, in9ludin# 9onsume"
!"ote9tion' 0 !"oHe9t entitled G1evelo!ment of te !a"ma9euti9al
indust"yG, 9ondu9ted in +ailand, in9luded te establisment of te
)a"ma9euti9al +e9nolo#y Se"vi9e ,ent"e of +ailand' +e ,ent"e as
assisted 125 !a"ma9euti9al ente"!"ises in obtainin# 9e"tifi9ation on
#ood manufa9tu"in# !"a9ti9es, is assistin# te !a"ma9euti9al indust"y
in te !"o9u"ement of e=!o"t li9en9es, and is also 9oo!e"atin# :it
o"#ani<ations of te /nited -ations, su9 as te %9onomi9 and So9ial
,ommission fo" 0sia and te )a9ifi9 (%S,0)), F@* and te Fo"ld 4an;'
>3' 0 Hoint ventu"e bet:een /-I1* and te Inte"national 7a99ine
Institute of Seoul, (e!ubli9 of Io"ea, in9luded t:o #lobal t"ainin#
:o";so!s on Buality assu"an9e, #ood manufa9tu"in# !"a9ti9es and
Buality 9ont"ol fo" va99ine manufa9tu"in#, and mana#ement of va99ine
manufa9tu"in# ente"!"ises' +ese :o";so!s, eld at 4andun#,
Indonesia, and 4eiHin#, "es!e9tively, also add"essed 9onsume"
!"ote9tion issues, su9 as adve"se "ea9tions to immuni<ation and mo"e
#ene"ally of 9ustome" satisfa9tion' Fo";so!s on #ood manufa9tu"in#
!"a9ti9es in te !a"ma9euti9al se9to" and on validation of
!a"ma9euti9al manufa9tu"in# !"o9esses too; !la9e at 2ont"eal and at
4o#ota, "es!e9tively, and :e"e aimed at int"odu9in# Buality mana#ement
systems'
>>' +e Inte"national ,ivil 0viation *"#ani<ation (I,0*) "evised te
9ode of 9ondu9t fo" te "e#ulation and o!e"ation of 9om!ute"
"ese"vation systems, :i9 :as subseBuently ado!ted by te I,0*
,oun9il' +e 9ode !"ovides, inte" alia, fo" te safe#ua"din# of te
!"iva9y of !e"sonal data of !assen#e"s, in9ludin# te "eBui"ement tat
ai" !assen#e"s usin# 9om!ute" "ese"vation systems fo" boo;in# and
ti9;etin# fli#ts be ;e!t info"med of 9ode-sa"ed fli#ts tat involve
t:o o" mo"e o!e"ato"s'
>5' I,0* as !ublised a manual on te "e#ulation of inte"national
ai"
t"ans!o"t to !"omote te dissemination of info"mation and advi9e fo"
ai" t"ans!o"t use"s and si!!e"s' +e !ubli9ation, entitled G)oli9y
and #uidan9e mate"ial on te "e#ulation of inte"national ai"
t"ans!o"tG, !"ovides info"mation on inte"national ai" fa"es and "ates,
in9ludin# "ules and 9onditions asso9iated :it s9eduled !assen#e"
fa"es, info"mation on ba##a#e allo:an9es and 9a"#es to !assen#e"s,
and "elated "ed"ess and 9om!ensation measu"es'
>?' 0s "e9ommended by te I,0* 9onfe"en9e on inte"national ai"
t"ans!o"t "e#ulation of 199> (see I,0*&1o9' 9?>>), te :o"; of I,0*
:ill 9ontinue to ta;e into a99ount te !"omotion of 9onsume"sD
e9onomi9 inte"ests'
1' -on-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations
>7' 0s noted above, te 9ollabo"ative "elationsi! establised
bet:een
te 1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y ,oo"dination and Sustainable 1evelo!ment of
te /nited -ations Se9"eta"iat and 9ivil so9iety, in !a"ti9ula"
non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations 9on9e"ned :it issues of 9onsume"
!"ote9tion, su9 as ,onsume"s Inte"national, 9ontinues to be
st"en#tened' Fitout te leade"si! !"ovided by ,onsume"s
Inte"national and te 9lose /nited -ations 9oo!e"ation :it it tat
as develo!ed ove" te yea"s, it :ould not ave been !ossible to 9a""y
out te inte"national !"o#"amme of "e#ional semina"s and 9onfe"en9es
:itin e=istin# "esou"9es'
>A' ,u""ently, dis9ussions a"e bein# unde"ta;en on te fo"mulation of
a memo"andum of unde"standin# bet:een ,onsume"s Inte"national, te
1e!a"tment fo" )oli9y ,oo"dination and Sustainable 1evelo!ment of te
/nited -ations Se9"eta"iat and /-,+01 to st"en#ten inte"national
assistan9e fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion !oli9y and le#islation t"ou# a
!"o#"amme of Hoint a9tion' It is intended tat ,onsume"s
Inte"national, te 1e!a"tment and /-,+01 :ill 9oo!e"ate, inte" alia,
in te !"omotion of national 9onsume" !"ote9tion la: and 9onsume"
!"ote9tion !oli9y fo"mulation, in9ludin# issues 9ove"ed in te
#uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion, te 2id"and 1e9la"ation on
te9ni9al 9oo!e"ation in tis a"ea (see !a"a' 29 above), te
develo!ment of national and inte"national 9om!etition la:, and
"esea"9 on 9onsume"s issues, in9ludin# sustainable develo!ment and
9onsum!tion !atte"ns'
>9' +e Inte"national ,oo!e"ative 0llian9e (I,0), a non-#ove"nmental
o"#ani<ation se"vin# te :o"ld 9oo!e"ative movement and b"in#in#
to#ete" mo"e tan 200 national and inte"national 9oo!e"ative
o"#ani<ations f"om nea"ly 100 9ount"ies, devotes nea"ly 25 !e" 9ent of
its "esou"9es to te 9onsume" se9to"' I,0 olds 9onsultative status
:it te %9onomi9 and So9ial ,oun9il' ,onsume" 9oo!e"atives, in
!"ovidin# #oods and se"vi9es s!e9ified by 9onsume"s, 9ont"ibute to te
!"omotion of 9onsume" a:a"eness and edu9ation' Gene"ally, su9
o"#ani<ations 9ont"ibute to a9ievin# 9onsume" "i#ts at te national
and inte"national levels' In !a"ti9ula", t"ou# its subsidia"y body,
te Inte"national ,onsume" ,oo!e"ative *"#ani<ation, issues of
standa"ds of safety and ealty envi"onment, a99ess to #oods at fai"
!"i9es :it "easonable va"iety and 9oi9e, a99ess to info"mation on
#oods and edu9ation on 9onsume" info"mation a"e bein# advan9ed by te
9oo!e"ative movement'
II' +@% G/I1%.I-%S 3*( ,*-S/2%( )(*+%,+I*- 0-1
S/S+0I-04.% ,*-S/2)+I*- )0++%(-S
50' +e issue of sustainable 9onsum!tion !atte"ns :as "aised in a
#lobal 9onte=t at te /nited -ations ,onfe"en9e on %nvi"onment and
1evelo!ment (/-,%1), eld at (io de Janei"o, in 1992, :e"e it :as
embodied in 9a!te" > of 0#enda 21'
51' 0 mo"e envi"onmentally 9ons9ious 9onsume" !ubli9, 9ombined :it
in9"eased inte"est on te !a"t of indust"y in !"ovidin#
envi"onmentally sound 9onsume" !"odu9ts, is an im!o"tant dimension of
sustainable 9onsum!tion' ,onsume" 9ons9iousness of te lin; bet:een
9onsum!tion and te envi"onment as in9"eased' 4ut altou# 9onsume"s
may be mo"e a:a"e of tei" #"eate" "es!onsibility in te "elationsi!
bet:een envi"onment and 9onsum!tion !atte"ns, tat a:a"eness 9an only
be t"anslated into a9tion if 9onsume"s a"e #iven te ne9essa"y
info"mation to ma;e te "i#t 9oi9es and tus b"in# about
envi"onmentally sound 9onsum!tion !atte"ns and lifestyles'
52' +e "ole of Gove"nments in sa!in# 9onsum!tion !atte"ns, in
!a"ti9ula" in 9ount"ies :e"e te !ubli9 se9to" !lays an im!o"tant
"ole in te e9onomy, 9ontinues to be of utmost im!o"tan9e' 0 numbe"
of Gove"nments ave "e!o"ted on te !"o#"ess bein# made in tat a"ea
of :o";' Ge"many as !"omoted !"oHe9ts in te field of envi"onmental
advi9e to foste" envi"onmentally o"iented !"odu9t info"mation and
a:a"eness aimed at a9ievin# envi"onmentally sound 9onsume" beaviou"'
-o":ay as develo!ed a !"oHe9t entitled GG"een @ouseold 4ud#etG, by
:i9 info"mation and advi9e on !u"9asin# and use of !"odu9ts to:a"ds
sustainable !"odu9tion is !"ovided to 9onsume"s' -o":ay as also
osted t:o inte"national 9onfe"en9es on sustainable !"odu9tion and
9onsum!tion6 a ministe"ial "ound table eld at *slo and an
inte"national 9onfe"en9e on sustainable 9onsum!tion, eld at
.illeamme"' 0s a "esult of tose meetin#s, te -o":e#ian (esea"9
,oun9il as establised a "esea"9 !"o#"amme on sustainable !"odu9tion
and 9onsum!tion' 0lso, te Gove"nments of 4"a<il and -o":ay o"#ani<ed
a sym!osium on sustainable !"odu9tion and 9onsum!tion !atte"ns at
4"asilia f"om 25 to 2A -ovembe" 199?' +e "esults of te meetin#
9on9ent"ated on te !oli9y o!tions available fo" ma;in# !atte"ns of
9onsum!tion and !"odu9tion mo"e sustainable' +e meetin# a#"eed tat
9onsum!tion and !"odu9tion !atte"ns is an issue tat as te 9ommon
inte"est of and dese"ves additional inte"national 9oo!e"ation bet:een
indust"iali<ed and develo!in# 9ount"ies'
53' +e /nited States of 0me"i9a as been !"omotin# te a9ievement
of
sustainable 9onsum!tion t"ou# a !ubli9 out"ea9 and edu9ation
!"o#"amme of its %nvi"onmental )"ote9tion 0#en9y' +is offi9e also
maintains an Inte"net site on "e9y9lin# and te use of "e9y9led
!"odu9ts' +e ,onsume"s *ffi9e of 2e=i9o !"omotes te dissemination
of info"mation to 9onsume"s on 9onsum!tion and envi"onmental
!"ote9tion, te adeBuate use of ene"#y, "e9y9lin# measu"es, and
9a""ies on t"ainin# !"o#"ammes fo" sustainable develo!ment' 0n
inte"national fo"um on te teme G,onsum!tion at te end of te
millenniumG dealt :it issues of 9onsum!tion, 9onsume"s o"#ani<ations
and adve"tisin# and media'
5>' S:eden 9onside"s tat te e=tension of te #uidelines fo"
9onsume"
!"ote9tion sould be !a"t of 9onsume" !oli9y at te level of te
%u"o!ean /nion, and also :itin te f"ame:o"; of te -o"di9 ,oun9il of
2iniste"s and *%,1' *%,1 9onside"s te a"ea of sustainable
9onsum!tion as an im!o"tant field to be in9luded in "elevant
#uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion' ,u""ently, an ove"vie: of membe"
9ount"iesD a9tivities on issues 9on9e"nin# sustainable 9onsum!tion
!atte"ns is bein# !"e!a"ed by *%,1'
55' 0s noted ea"lie", :it te "a!idly 9an#in# inte"national
e9onomi9
envi"onment, 9onsume" o"#ani<ations ave e=!"essed te need to "evie:
te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion and to e=!and tei" s9o!e to
9ove" ne: a"eas :e"e 9onsume" !"ote9tion is desi"able' Inte"est as
been indi9ated, fo" e=am!le, in e=tendin# te #uidelines to in9lude
issues of !ubli9 utilities in su9 a"eas as tele9ommuni9ation and
t"ans!o"t se"vi9es, :e"e te"e may be a #"o:in# need to !"ote9t
9onsume"sD inte"ests' 0note" a"ea of 9on9e"n embodies te se"vi9e
se9to", in :i9 insu"an9e, ban;in# and investment, as :ell as lendin#
and bo""o:in# 9onditions, ave all been t"ansfo"med by te use of ne:
te9nolo#y and mo"e 9om!etitive ma";ets'
5?' +e 0f"i9a ,onfe"en9e on ,onsume" )"ote9tion (see !a"as' 19 and
20
above) 9onside"ed !ossible #uidelines fo" issues of basi9 se"vi9es,
in9ludin# !ubli9 utilities (ealt, :ate", ele9t"i9ity, #as)C
finan9ial se"vi9es (9"edit "e!o"tin# :it !"iva9y !"ote9tion,
"e#ulated "ates and te"ms, dis9losu"e of 9osts and te"ms of 9"edit)C
and 9onsume" "e!"esentation ("e!"esentation in t"ade ne#otiations,
settin# of !"odu9ts standa"ds, and te need fo" me9anisms fo"
9onsume" !a"ti9i!ation in de9ision-ma;in# !"o9esses)' +e 0sia and
)a9ifi9 9onfe"en9e on te teme G,onsume"s in te #lobal a#eG (see
!a"as' 21 and 22 above) identified elements fo" #uidelines on
sustainable 9onsum!tionC te a9tive !a"ti9i!ation of 9onsume" #"ou!s
in te elabo"ation of #uidelines and in te de9ision-ma;in# !"o9essC
te int"odu9tion of envi"onmental ta=ation o" in9entives and
disin9entives on natu"al "esou"9e-de!letin# !"odu9tion and 9onsum!tion
a9tivitiesC te dissemination of ve"ifiable info"mation to 9onsume"s
on te develo!ment of adve"tisin# 9odes and standa"dsC and te
"e#ulation and ve"ifi9ation of envi"onmental 9laims' +e a"eas of
finan9ial se"vi9es, ne: te9nolo#ies, es!e9ially in 9ommuni9ations,
and 9onsume" se"vi9es :e"e also 9ited as "eBui"in# ne: !oli9y
!"ovisions' *te" su##estions emanatin# f"om te "e9ent sym!osium on
sustainable !"odu9tion and 9onsum!tion !atte"ns, eld at 4"asilia in
1997 (see !a"a' 52 above), in9lude te need to inte#"ate sustainable
develo!ment at te level of #ove"nment de9ision-ma;in# :it a vie: to
ensu"in# tat ma9"oe9onomi9 !oli9ies fo" libe"ali<ation and
de"e#ulation !"omote envi"onmental im!"ovement' 0lso, te im!o"tan9e
of te "ole of Gove"nments as maHo" 9onsume"s :as st"essed, in tat
Gove"nments 9an el! sa!e ma";ets t"ou# tei" use of #oods and
se"vi9es and te in9o"!o"ation of envi"onmental 9"ite"ia into
!"o9u"ement !oli9ies'
III' ,*-,./SI*-S 0-1 (%,*22%-10+I*-S
57' 0s indi9ated in te b"ief ove"vie: !"esented above, 9onside"able
!"o#"ess as been made in te im!lementation of te #uidelines fo"
9onsume" !"ote9tion in te"ms of measu"es unde"ta;en fo" te !"ote9tion
of te 9onsume" at te national level and st"en#tenin# 9oo!e"ation at
te "e#ional and inte"national levels' +e"e as been a su"#e in
!ubli9 a:a"eness of 9onsume" issues, es!e9ially in te"ms of te
sustainability of 9onsum!tion !atte"ns and te need to !"ote9t te
inte"ests of 9onsume"s in a #lobali<ed :o"ld e9onomy' +e 9onsume"
movement is #ainin# momentum in all "e#ions, and !ubli9 !oli9y is
bein# st"en#tened in "es!onse to tose develo!ments' 4ut, mu9
"emains to be done, and a9tion by Gove"nments is essential' 0t te
"e#ional and inte"national levels, te "ole of te /nited -ations
system of o"#ani<ations, :it te su!!o"t of membe" States and in
9ollabo"ation :it maHo" #"ou!s, su9 as non-#ove"nmental
o"#ani<ations, is eBually im!o"tant fo" mobili<in# su!!o"t and
!"ovidin# assistan9e in ado!tin# measu"es at te national level fo"
te !"ote9tion of 9onsume"s' +e su99ess of 9ollabo"ative a9tivities
-
su9 as te se"ies of "e#ional 9onfe"en9es and semina"s !"omoted by
te /nited -ations in 9ollabo"ation :it membe"s of 9ivil so9iety
(in9ludin# non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, su9 as ,onsume"s
Inte"national), dono"s and ost Gove"nments - !oints to te need to
maintain and st"en#ten su9 9ollabo"ation fo" te 9ost-effe9tive use
of limited "esou"9es in fu"te" :o";'
5A' +e ,oun9il may :is to "e9ommend 9ontinued national and
inte"national effo"ts to ensu"e te effe9tive im!lementation of te
#uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion by all te a9to"s 9on9e"ned,
in9ludin# Gove"nments, as :ell as to ensu"e 9ontinued 9lose
9oo!e"ation to tat end amon# te o"#ani<ations and bodies of te
/nited -ations system, ote" inte"#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations and maHo"
#"ou!s, in !a"ti9ula" non-#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations'
59' In te !e"iod aead, te elabo"ation of #uidelines to 9ove"
sustainable 9onsum!tion !atte"ns :ill "eBui"e !a"ti9ula" attention'
+e out9omes of te "e#ional 9onfe"en9es eld ove" te !ast t:o yea"s,
te :o"; unde"ta;en by inte"#ove"nmental o"#ani<ations, su9 as *%,1
and te %u"o!ean /nion, and initiatives by individual 9ount"ies ave
all !"e!a"ed te #"ound fo" a 9on9e"ted effo"t to e=!and te s9o!e of
te #uidelines fo" 9onsume" !"ote9tion to 9ove" sustainable
9onsum!tion !atte"ns, as :ell as ote" a"eas, su9 as ne: info"mation
systems, tele9ommuni9ation, t"ansbo"de" t"ade and 9onsume" se"vi9es,
in9ludin# finan9ial se"vi9es' 0s a fi"st ste! to tat end, te
,oun9il may :is to 9all fo" an inte""e#ional e=!e"t #"ou! meetin# to
elabo"ate "e9ommendations fo" #uidelines on sustainable 9onsum!tion
!atte"ns, fo" submission to te ,oun9il, at its substantive session in
199A, t"ou# te ,ommission fo" Sustainable 1evelo!ment'
-ote
1& See *ffi9ial (e9o"ds of te %9onomi9 and So9ial ,oun9il,
1995,
Su!!lement -o' 12 (%&1995&32), !a"a' >5'

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Date last posted& '( No#ember )((( )'&)*&+,
-omments and su!!estions& esa.un.or!