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The Department of Consumer Affairs spearheaded a pivotal stakeholder consultation focused on fortifying safety measures within the realm of e-commerce platforms. This initiative aims to instate a robust ‘Safety Pledge’ designed to elevate the standard of goods offered across all operating e-commerce platforms in India.
The core tenets of this pledge revolve around a staunch commitment to curbing the sale of unsafe products, amplifying awareness among both consumers and sellers and fostering cooperation with regulatory bodies.
To materialise this, a dedicated committee has been formed, drawing members from major e-commerce platforms, industry associations, National Law Universities, and voluntary consumer associations. This multi-stakeholder committee shoulders the responsibility of crafting a comprehensive pledge that not only ensures the sale of goods safe for consumer use but also mandates platforms to undertake proactive measures to prevent the sale of hazardous products.
Chaired by Shri Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the consultation gathered representatives from industry associations, major e-commerce players, voluntary consumer associations, and legal luminaries.
The session commenced with a detailed presentation by the Department, accentuating the pivotal role of product safety for consumers and delineating the provisions enshrined within the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, aimed at safeguarding consumers from unsafe products.
Furthermore, global precedents such as the implementation of similar Safety Pledges in the European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Canada were discussed to glean insights and best practices.
Notably, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 champions the rights of consumers, including protection against the marketing and sale of goods that pose risks to life and property. Empowering consumer commissions under this act enables directives to entities, disallowing the offering of hazardous or unsafe goods for sale.
In an effort to align with global benchmarks, the Department of Consumer Affairs is actively collaborating with the European Commission to assimilate and adapt international best practices geared towards identifying and preventing the sale of unsafe goods through online platforms.
The proposed Safety Pledge stands as a voluntary commitment by online platforms, specifically geared towards ensuring the safety of goods available to consumers. Its primary objective is to fortify consumer protection by mitigating the risks associated with purchasing unsafe products through e-commerce platforms. The pledge sets out to elevate standards across all online marketplaces operational in India, also serving as a public testament to platforms’ dedication to augmenting consumer product safety.
Outlined principles of the Safety Pledge encompass proactive measures such as the detection and prevention of unsafe product sales, collaboration with statutory authorities responsible for product safety, heightening awareness among third-party sellers regarding consumer product safety, and empowering consumers on pertinent product safety concerns.
A committee has been instituted to draft this pivotal Safety Pledge, comprising members from major e-commerce platforms, voluntary consumer associations, industry bodies, and National Law Universities. This committee is tasked with submitting its comprehensive report within two weeks.
The stakeholder congregation boasted representation from eminent industry associations such as CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI, IAMAI, NASSCOM, leading e-commerce platforms including Amason, Flipkart, Meesho, as well as influential voluntary consumer associations like Mumbai Grahak Panchayat and Consumer Voice. Legal expertise was also present with the participation of esteemed chairs specialising in consumer law from NLU Delhi and NLSIU, Bengaluru.
The unanimous sentiment echoed by all stakeholders at the meeting reflects a collective appreciation for the introduction of a Safety Pledge tailored to the intricacies of e-commerce platforms. The consensus underscores the paramount importance of ensuring the sale of safe goods to consumers, especially within the dynamic landscape of e-commerce.
India is steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding online consumers, prioritising the protection of their data and finances, particularly in the era where AI-enabled fraudulent activities pose significant threats.
The Department of Consumer Affairs convened a workshop on ‘AI and Consumers,’ emphasising the need to balance consumer interests with AI’s benefits, addressing concerns and opportunities, including privacy, biases, and regulatory challenges, aiming to shape AI policies aligned with constitutional principles and fostering ongoing collaboration between industry stakeholders and policymakers for future regulation.
