OTTAWA, April 24, 2001 — Consumers will be able to complain about
misleading cross-border electronic commerce following the launch, earlier
today in New York, of www.econsumer.gov. The Competition Bureau
participated in the website’s launch, along with officials from 12 other
countries, at the semi-annual conference of the International Marketing
Supervision Network (IMSN).
“This international pilot project will increase consumer confidence in
electronic commerce as well as strengthen and enhance international
co-operation in the fight against misleading advertising and deceptive
marketing practices on the Internet,” said Raymond Pierce, Deputy
Commissioner of Competition, Fair Business Practices Branch, Competition
Bureau.
The result of joint efforts by IMSN members and the Consumer Sentinel
Network, www.econsumer.gov will allow consumers to file complaints against
foreign companies concerning transactions on the Internet. Users will also
be able to obtain information on consumer protection in IMSN member
countries, find contact information and get practical advice on making
on-line purchases safely.
The IMSN is a membership organization consisting of consumer protection
authorities from 29 countries and representatives from the European
Commission and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD). Its main objective is to help prevent and redress deceptive
international marketing practices through knowledge sharing and promotion of
fair business practices.
The initiative announced today complements existing complaint-handling
mechanisms operated by the Competition Bureau, such as its website,
accessible at www.competition.ic.gc.ca.
The Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency which ensures that all
consumers enjoy the benefit of a competitive economy.
