The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) and the World Bank are pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 Consumer Protection Contest. This contest aims to showcase good implementation, enforcement, and compliance practices regarding consumer protection, as drivers to ensure that consumers are empowered with accurate information and are protected from unfair and deceptive practices. Given the growth of markets globally, it has become increasingly crucial to strengthen regulations and institutions that safeguard consumer rights and promote a fair marketplace. This contest complements the work done under the Competition Advocacy contest that the World Bank has been running together with the International Competition Network for the last ten years.
We are looking for success stories from consumer protection authorities (Authorities) that demonstrate the tangible results of consumer protection work under three themes:
Theme 1 – Partnering with third parties. Partnering with third parties, such as other government entities, NGOs, or other stakeholders, can be an effective way for an Authority to protect consumers and encourage compliance. We are looking for successful initiatives where an Authority has actively engaged with third parties to encourage compliance with consumer protection regulations or to better protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices.
Theme 2 – Complaint handling. A large majority of Consumer Protection Authorities around the world have some role in handling consumer complaints, sometimes having a choice of which complaints to address, or oftentimes having to provide responses to complaints received. But consumer complaints can come in the thousands, and even in the millions depending on the economy. Handling a high volume of consumer complaints can be tricky in the best of circumstances. We encourage Authorities to submit their best practices or innovative approaches in handling complaints, including highlighting any particular processes that have worked well for them; ways to address, prioritize and respond to complaints; how they cope when they have a mandate to address complaints; how they see their role when they have discretion as to which complaints they address or respond; and any particular IT tools or online dispute resolution mechanisms that they may be using.
Theme 3 – Cross-border cooperation. Cooperating across borders to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices can be challenging. Cross-border cases can also cause significant harm to consumers, including financial harm from ecommerce that may involve small amounts of harm to individual consumers, but collectively affect large numbers of consumers. With more and more consumer cases having a cross-border component, finding efficient and effective ways to collaborate with other Authorities across borders is increasingly important. We are looking for successful initiatives that facilitate cross-border cooperation between Authorities. Some initiatives may be facilitated by a regional body or by an organization, some others may be led by a group of Authorities or be bilateral.
ICPEN members, partners, and observers are welcome to apply. Entities that are not an ICPEN member, partner or observer can apply jointly with one in order to qualify. A list of all ICPEN members, partners and observers is available here (https://icpen.org/who-we-are). Joint submissions from ICPEN members and other government bodies, sector regulators or non-governmental organizations are welcome.
In order to participate, candidates must complete the online survey. Key information required to apply includes:
1. A summary of the consumer protection initiative. Please include information covering (i) relevance of the intervention; (ii) the issue tackled by the initiative, (iii) the solution proposed/implemented, and (iv) impact when available. (150 words) |
2. The consumer issue under assessment (150 words) |
3. The strategy used to address the issue. It can include, for instance, communication strategy, stakeholders involved, resources allocated, evidence building. (150 words) |
4. If applicable, any collaboration with other agencies/organizations and stakeholders. (150 words) |
5. The results of the initiative. For example: (i) recommendations were implemented by public bodies, (ii) opinions were published or disseminated, or (iii) other changes generated by the initiative. (150 words) |
6. If applicable, information on whether the initiative is inspired by other initiatives (i) in other jurisdictions or (ii) in your jurisdiction. Please provide brief information on those other initiatives if applicable. |
7. How do you assess the impact, and what was the impact of your initiative? (150 words) |
8. Lessons learned with the initiative. (150 words) |
The ONLINE SURVEY is the only valid application method. Applications through email messages or that fail to provide the required information in compliance with indicated character limits and blind review standards will not be considered.
Please contact Sofia Martinez with any questions at smartinezamondar@worldbank.org
The deadline for submissions is June 18th, 2024 (11h59 pm, Washington D.C. time).
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Event details
- Award ceremony: September 26th, 2024
- Location: Washington DC
- Deadline for submissions: July 2nd, 2024 (11h59 pm, Washington D.C. time).
- CONTACT: Sofia Martinez
- smartinezamondar@worldbank.org