Second phase of 'Training for Strengthening Consumers
Association of Bangladesh' project
In April 2010, Consumers International (CI) was commissioned by
the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to
assist in reviewing the current state of consumer protection in
Bangladesh as part of the Bangladesh Quality Support Programme
supported by the European Union (EU) and co-funded by NORAD. (Background
information to the UNIDO Bangladesh project can be found
here.)
In carrying out this mission, CI undertook an analysis and
evaluation of consumer protection measures in Bangladesh and the report
on Recommendations for Efffective Implementation of the Consumer
Rights Protection Act, 2009 in Bangladesh is the outcome of the
process. This is the first step in analysing the Consumer Rights
Protection Act, 2009 to provide general recommendations to UNIDO to
strengthen the law and the regulatory regime of consumer protection
in the country.
Research focus
The research was carried out during April to June 2010 and
includes a review of the trajectory of development and
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals within
Bangladesh, a comparative analysis of the current consumer law in
Bangladesh, explores current policy settings and identifies the
need for interactive consumer and competition measures.
Gaps and flaws
In substance, there are many gaps in the law. The Act has not
been effectively implemented since its formulation, and it is
apparent that there is no viable institution to support it.
The report attempts to comment on gaps, flaws and limitation in
the Bangladeshi law, and suggestions are made for improvement.
It also seeks to spell out essential elements of a successful
consumer rights monitoring authority with reference to the UN
Guidelines, 1985. References are made to issues of governance, and
emphasis is put on the need for more significant levels of consumer
involvement in policy-making and implementation relating to
consumer protection.
Pictorial guide for consumers:
Consumer protection in Bangladesh
Other publications
In the framework of the same project, CI has also produced a
number of materials to assist stakeholders in Bangladesh: a booklet
on consumer protection in Bangladesh (in
English and Bengali),
a
pamphlet (in Bengali) and a pictorial guide (pictured above and
to download below) to enable illiterate communities to access
advice and assistance in meeting their essential needs.