• In Paris, a meeting was held among the Ministers of the Consumer Policy Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development.
• Delegates from more than 50 countries were discussing the methods of protecting and enhancing consumer’s standing for the benefit of more sustainable and digital future.
• During this event, the President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, represented Poland acting as one of Deputy Chairs at the same time.

From 8 to 9 October 2024, the Ministers from OECD countries and the invited partnership countries, together with international organisations, enterprises and consumers, met in Paris in the OECD office during the first meeting of the Consumer Policy Committee of the OECD at the ministerial level [OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial Meeting]. During this event, the President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, represented Poland acting as one of Deputy Chairs at the same time.

Agenda of the meeting

During the two days of the meeting held under the name of “Consumers at the centre of the digital and green transitions”, its participants got engaged in the discussions on methods of protecting and enhancing consumers for the benefit of more sustainable and digital future. In view of his international experience and UOKiK’s active involvement in international issues, the President of UOKiK was invited to chair the sessions titled: “Working together across borders to protect and empower consumers”. During the session, delegates from more than 30 countries and some other institutions were discussing the methods of enhancing international cooperation in the field of policy and law enforcement in consumer issues and the OECD role in this regard.

Cross-border consumer policy

Complex international delivery chains, global Internet markets, cross-border technologies, such as AI, as well as increased consumer interest world-wide to counteract climatic changes emphasise the significance of an efficient cross-border consumer policy and cooperation on law enforcement. OECD data prove that cross-border transactions may result in higher risk such as frequent frauds, exposure to the risk of purchasing dangerous products and difficulties in obtaining compensation. However, despite the enhancement of global and regional efforts, there still exist some challenges such as lack of legitimacy to get engaged in some other jurisdictions.

Contemporary consumer challenges

Additionally, efficient cooperation requires some reliable domestic framework which may need to be improved in some cases. The contemporary consumer challenges cause more and more frequent crossing with other policy areas, which suggests benefits from multi-disciplinary approach.

- It is important that we cooperate internationally and look for solutions both through exchanging experiences and finding the ways of cooperation for laws enforcement - said Tomasz Chróstny in his session-opening speech.

At the end of the Ministerial Meeting, its participants committed to enhance the consumer policy by way of official approval of the OECD document titled: “Declaration on Protecting and Empowering Consumers in the Digital and Green Transitions”.

Bilateral discussions

The Ministerial Meeting was also an opportunity for bilateral discussions. The President of UOKiK met Christiane Rohleder, the Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in Germany, as well as the representatives of non-governmental organisations – Consumers International and business environments with BIAC (Business at OECD).