Consumers International and ICPEN Joint Statement World Consumer Rights Day 2021 and Fraud Prevention Month

For World Consumer Rights Day 2021, Consumers International is delighted to cooperate with the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) to amplify the consumer voice for this year’s Fraud Prevention Month campaign.

World Consumer Rights Day is an annual occasion dedicated to highlighting the power of consumers and their rights for a fair, safe and sustainable marketplace.

On this World Consumer Rights Day, March 15th, 2021, consumers and consumer protection enforcement agencies from around the world will join together to tackle plastic pollution and to prevent misleading environmental claims.  

Plastic pollution is a significant issue we all face globally. Every second, more than 200 Kilos of plastic is thrown into seas and oceans. Further damaging is the fact that more than 1200 marine species are impacted by this plastic pollution.

There is no single solution to tackling plastic pollution, so Consumers International have created the 7 Rs Model of Waste Management (replace, rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair), to demonstrate different ways to combat this issue.

To further empower the consumer, ICPEN will be interjecting principles of consumer protection, specifically targeted towards environmental claims, into this model. A #ConsumerWhoKnows how to replace, rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair, prevents the consumer from becoming a victim of misleading advertising.

This is an opportunity for Consumers International and ICPEN to further amplify and represent the consumer voice on a global scale and both organisations are looking forward to working together on a collaborative project later in the year.

- Helena Leurent, Director General, Consumers International

“Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet. Consumer awareness of the plastics crisis is growing around the world. Consumers have a critical role in shaping the marketplace, and we must support them to mobilise businesses and governments, to ensure sustainable consumption is accessible to all.”

-Josephine A.L. Palumbo, President, International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN)

“Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the products they are purchasing. Consumers often look towards sustainable consumption and environmental claims when purchasing a product. Ensuring consumers are provided with accurate environmental claims is the foundation for informed and sustainable consumption.”

Links:

ICPEN Webpage: https://icpen.org/

Consumers International Webpage: https://www.consumersinternational.org/