Consumer Policy

The OECD Committee on Consumer Policy (CCP) works to increase trust in the global economy. It has a mandate to develop principles leading to a fair and transparent marketplace and seeks to ensure their effective implementation online and across borders.

Its current work focuses on building consumer confidence in the global economy through work on cross-border fraud and dispute resolution and redress; analysing the impact of new technologies and emerging business practices online; examining good practice in consumer policy regimes; and developing economic rationale for consumer policy. (More)

What's new

Shaping policies for the future of the Internet economy

18-Jun-2008

This report provides policy direction and guidance from five OECD Committees in Internet-related policy areas. Its objective is to help decision-makers in their efforts to facilitate convergence, stimulate creativity, strengthen confidence, and expand opportunities for global economic, social and cultural development enabled by the Internet.

Governments give consumers a boost at high-level OECD meeting on the future of the Internet

18-Jun-2008

Stepped up actions to combat online identity theft, strengthen mobile commerce business practices, and promote more transparency and consumer flexibility in communication services were highlighted at a high-level OECD meeting on the future of the Internet Economy in Seoul, Korea on 17-18 June.

Policy brief: The future of the Internet economy

06-Jun-2008

Major changes are affecting the scope and scale of the Internet. As a result, the Internet is increasingly high on the policy agenda in many OECD and non-OECD countries. This policy brief reviews likely future developments in the Internet economy and how policy-makers can help the Internet to adapt to evolving requirements caused by convergence, continue to drive innovation, and be trustworthy.

Online identity theft: measuring the threat to consumers

20-May-2008

Identity theft has been identified by many as the fastest growing crime of the 21st Century. This paper examines the scope and scale of the issue, recommending the development of adequate law enforcement countermeasures to prevent, detect and deter it.

Consumer empowerment in communication services

23-May-2008

Improving the ability of consumers to choose between competing suppliers is important for well functioning markets. The report examines how to increase market flexibility for consumers in communication services, and improve access to information.

OECD Breakfast Series: Developing Global Strategies for Combating Identity Theft

on 05-May-2008

The OECD Washington Center regularly holds OECD Breakfast Series events to promote OECD work, and to give the Washington audience a chance to interact with OECD officials.  The presentation will provide information on developments and trends, focusing in particular on the growing use of the Internet to conduct ID crime. Efforts to combat the theft will be described, as will policy guidance that was recently approved by the OECD's Committee on Consumer Policy. The discussants will provide further insights on how issues are affecting consumers in Canada and the United States.

Promoting Sustainable Consumption

21-Mar-2008

As a contribution to the UN Marrakech Process on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the OECD has identified effective government approaches for using various tools (regulations, taxes, labeling, education) to promote the sustainability of consumption in economic, environmental and social terms.

Report on Second Roundtable on Economics for Consumer Policy

25-Jul-2007

The second Roundtable on economics for consumer policy (click here for a report on the first) brought academics and senior government officials together to examine the nature of failures in markets where supply-side competition is deemed to be effective. It considered the economic theories of information disclosure, focusing on two major industry sectors – telecommunications and financial services. How policies addressing demand side failures could be strengthened was considered.

Consumer contracts: Ensuring that the contracts work for shoppers

19-Jul-2007

Consumers enter into contracts covering a wide range of purchases – health care, housing, financial investment, telecommunication services and leisure services are some examples. In addition, with the increasing convergence of financial arrangements and consumer activities in modern life, consumers are prone to take on longer-term commitments. The OECD report on contracts takes a close look at how governments in different countries help protect the interests of consumers when they sign such contracts.

OECD governments to help consumers

16-Jul-2007

OECD Member countries have agreed common principles aimed at providing consumers with effective mechanisms to resolve their disputes and obtain redress for economic harm resulting from transactions with business. The new framework, which applies to disputes arising in both a domestic and cross-border context, is aimed at strengthening consumer trust on-line and at helping them benefit from e-commerce advantages.

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Cross-Border Fraud Guidelines

Guidelines for Protecting Consumers from Fraudulent and Deceptive Commercial Practices Across Borders

OECD Cross-Border Fraud Guidelines