International Comparative Legal Guides - Consumer Protection 2022

Welcome to the 2022 edition of ICLG - Consumer Protection. Although the level of consumer protection and enforcement differs around the world, it is an area which has been the subject of increased regulatory focus in many jurisdictions. This is expected to continue as a number of jurisdictions consider enhancing regulators' and consumers' powers and ability to enforce consumer protections. For example, as this edition was going to print, the UK Government announced plans to significantly enhance the regulator's ability to investigate and sanction infringements of consumer law. Consumer law enforcement continues to play an important role in addressing many of the policy issues currently facing governments, with increased focus on the "cost of living crisis", as well as continuing action relating to and stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. As we discuss in the Expert Analysis chapter, the role that consumer protection law can play in addressing sustainability issues, alongside other tools available to the regulators, has increasingly become a matter for focus and debate.
This publication provides a practical overview of the key protections from which customers benefit and the ways in which those rights may be enforced, and we believe it will prove an essential resource for lawyers across the globe who are advising businesses or consumers in this fast-developing area.