• Starting 1 July, UOKiK will chair the work of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) for one year.
• Empowering responsible consumer choices is the motto and goal of the Polish presidency.
• We will look into topics such as dark patterns, scam, artificial intelligence, finance of the future as well as influencer and content marketing.

UOKiK has been a member of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) since 1996. The long-standing exchange of experience among members strengthens the effectiveness of the application of regulations protecting rights of weaker market participants. The network is based on a global approach to the topics, regardless of the differences between  country’s legislation. The priority is to combat unfair market practices and eliminate risks to consumers. Along with the development of digital economy, it is essential to effectively communicate, share knowledge and practice with consumer protection institutions around the world.

UOKiK has been selected to chair ICPEN’s work from 1 July 2023. The presidency rotates, allowing for a global perspective on key consumer issues and setting common priorities.

- We are pleased that Poland will be guiding the work of ICPEN over the next year and inspire global action to serve consumers. The theme of our presidency is “Empowering responsible consumer choices”. There is one goal - to protect consumer rights even more effectively in all circumstances, both offline and online. We want to support them in making conscious and sensible decisions. We do hope that such a defined priority for action will unite all ICPEN members in jointly developing strategies to intensify consumer protection in today’s digital reality - says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

Topics of importance in the context of the UOKiK’s activities include solutions based on artificial intelligence to facilitate the detection of prohibited contractual terms, online marketing, including influencer marketing and transparency in the labelling of advertising content and dark patterns, that is, unfair practices that use knowledge of consumer behaviour to influence their decisions. In addition, the Authority is the leader of international projects – “Consumer Protection on the Internet - Finance of the Future: services and scam” and “Online Marketing”, which are scheduled to be launched during the Polish presidency. As part of the function assumed, the Authority plans to organise two conferences in hybrid mode for ICPEN network members - the first will be held on 4-6 October, the next is expected in May 2024.

ICPEN has been operating since 1992 and provides a forum for the exchange of information on market practices of a cross-border nature. Members include consumer protection institutions from more than 70 countries around the world. The network also has 4 partner countries (Botswana, Fiji, India, Zimbabwe), with observer roles including the European Commission, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Poland will assume the presidency of ICPEN for the second time (the first time in 2006-2007).

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