Consumer product safety: New global principles adopted at UN

 

The move seeks to enhance consumer protection in an increasingly globalized and digital marketplace, as product safety is not a privilege for the few, but a fundamental right for all. 

On 15 December, the UN General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution establishing the first-ever United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety.

The principles affirm the right of all consumers to safe, non-hazardous products, sold online and offline, in line with the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection.

They underscore that businesses bear the primary responsibility for product safety throughout a product’s entire life cycle.

They also empower public authorities to conduct risk assessments, order recalls, remove unsafe listings from online marketplaces, and share safety alerts across borders. (...)