• The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has been selected to lead the work of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN).
• Starting from July 2023, the Office takes over the ICPEN Presidency from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for one year.

Established in 1992, the main objective of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) is to prevent and combat unfair marketing practices of an international nature. As a global organisation, the Network guarantees a comprehensive global approach to consumer issues, regardless of the differences between the laws of individual countries. Its goal is to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of the application of regulations protecting the rights of weaker market participants. The work of the Network is led by a rotating presidency – from 1 July 2023, this function will be taken over by UOKiK.

- In a scenario where, together with globalisation and the development of the digital economy, risks to consumers exceed national borders, international and close cooperation with our counterparts in other countries is of particular importance. Being entrusted with the ICPEN Presidency is a recognition and appreciation of our work in consumer protection. It brings with it many challenges, but also a great deal of opportunities. We believe that it will contribute to strengthening cooperation with consumer authorities from other countries, better exchange of experience in consumer protection and, as a consequence, even more effective actions for consumers” – says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

ICPEN is based on cooperation between member organisations, especially in terms of problems encountered by consumers in cross-border transactions, in particular carried out by electronic means. The exchange of information within the Network makes it possible to effectively conduct proceedings and court cases against dishonest or unreliable entrepreneurs. ICPEN members include consumer protection institutions from more than 70 countries around the world, the Network also has 3 partners, and its observers are, among others, the European Commission, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

UOKiK has been involved in ICPEN activities for many years. Since 2002, the Office has taken part in the International Internet Sweep Day organised by ICPEN. The purpose is to promote honest entrepreneurship, educate Internet users, and stress the presence of inspection and supervision bodies on the Internet. The Office is co-leading a project concerning pyramid promotional systems – we plan to continue cooperation developed as part of the project. UOKiK experts took part in most working groups during the Portuguese Presidency (2021-2022) and the Canadian Presidency (2020-2021).

In terms of international consumer protection, UOKiK experts are active in the CPC artificial intelligence project, as well as in the international fora of the OECD Committee on Consumer Policy (CCP) and the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, among others. We also undertake our own cooperation initiatives to strengthen consumer protection in partner countries such as Armenia and Serbia.

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL