CARICOM moves to boost consumer protection

Representatives from Consumer Agencies in at least fourteen CARICOM Member States participated in a one-day meeting to agree on a mechanism to further advance consumer protection  within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The meeting held in Suriname on Tuesday, 2 December, 2014, discussed arrangements for collaboration, options for dialogue and capacity-building to advance the goals and plan of action enshrined in the CARICOM Framework for Consumer Protection and to foster a collaborative approach for fulfilling obligations set out in the Revised Treaty

Among several outcomes, was the agreement on a framework for collaboration in addressing cross border consumer complaints. This includes, activation of the Consumer Advisory Council  identified in the Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and a Matrix on Consumer Protection Protocol. Terms of reference to guide the work of the Advisory Council is to be developed.