**Executive Summary**
India will chair the Ninth Session of the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in Geneva, Switzerland, from 06 to 08 July 2026. Represented by Smt. Nidhi Khare, India will lead global deliberations and participate in the launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety. The session aims to strengthen international cooperation, address emerging consumer issues, and review global consumer protection frameworks.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Global Leadership and Session Objectives**
* India, through the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, will preside over the three-day session to guide discussions on global consumer protection priorities.
* The event serves as the primary intergovernmental platform for dialogue under the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP).
* A major highlight is the launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, which were adopted in December 2025.
**Agenda and Deliberations**
* Member States will discuss the implementation of the UNGCP and engage in a high-level "Fireside Chat" regarding the importance of the new product safety principles.
* The session will cover sustainable consumption, consumer education, and the enforcement of consumer laws in global markets.
* The group will conduct a Voluntary Peer Review of Argentina’s consumer protection laws and policies.
* Participants will review recent legal developments, capacity-building initiatives, and adopt the provisional agenda for the subsequent session.
**India’s Consumer Redressal Infrastructure**
* The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has resolved over 1.47 lakh refund-related grievances across 36 sectors, totaling ₹91.77 crore in refunds over 14 months.
* The AI-enabled "e-Jagriti" platform supports digital dispute resolution, including online filing, virtual hearings, and electronic case management.
* India's digital framework specifically supports Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and overseas consumers in pursuing cross-border consumer complaints.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India (Department of Consumer Affairs)**
**Impact**
India secures a prominent leadership role in shaping international consumer law and policy, allowing it to showcase domestic successes like the NCH and e-Jagriti.
**Action Required**
The Secretary must preside over the deliberations in Geneva (July 2026) and lead the participation in high-level chats and policy reviews.
**UNCTAD Member States and International Organizations**
**Impact**
Stakeholders gain access to a collaborative platform to harmonize consumer protection laws and adopt new global principles for product safety.
**Action Required**
Member States must participate in deliberations, report on their implementation of UNGCP, and contribute to the adoption of the session's report.
**Consumers and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)**
**Impact**
Consumers benefit from enhanced cross-border dispute resolution and more robust global safety standards for products.
**Action Required**
Affected consumers are encouraged to utilize digital platforms like e-Jagriti and the National Consumer Helpline for grievance redressal and litigation-free dispute resolution.
Key Entities Referenced
Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy: The principal intergovernmental platform for global cooperation on consumer protection, whose Ninth Session India has been appointed to chair.
United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD): The international organization that organizes the IGE sessions and facilitates global deliberations on consumer protection law and policy.
United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety: A set of global safety standards adopted by the UN General Assembly to be launched and discussed during the Ninth IGE Session.
United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP): The foundational international framework under which the IGE is constituted to guide member states on consumer protection implementation.
e-Jagriti: An AI-enabled digital platform launched by India to facilitate online consumer complaint filing, virtual hearings, and cross-border dispute resolution.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
India to Chair UNCTAD's Ninth Session of
Intergovernmental Group of Experts on
Consumer Protection
India to lead global deliberations on consumer protection; to
participate in launch of the United Nations Principles for
Consumer Product Safety
प्रव तथ: 05 JUL 2026 1:30PM by PIB Delhi
India will chair the Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer
Protection Law and Policy, organised by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at
the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, from 06 to 08 July 2026. The Session will bring together
Member States, international organisations, consumer protection authorities, academia and other
stakeholders to deliberate on emerging issues in consumer protection law and policy.
The Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE), constituted under the United Nations Guidelines for
Consumer Protection, is the principal intergovernmental platform for cooperation and dialogue on
consumer protection law and policy.
India has been actively contributing to international discussions on consumer protection. During the Ninth
United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection, held in Geneva in July 2025,
the Department of Consumer Affairs shared India's experience in cross-border consumer dispute
resolution, highlighting the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and its pre-litigation convergence
model.
The Government of India will be represented by Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of
Consumer Affairs, who has been invited by UNCTAD to chair the Ninth Session. As Chairperson, she
will preside over the three-day deliberations and guide discussions among Member States on key global
consumer protection priorities.
Key highlights of the Session include:
Launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in December 2025.
High-Level Fireside Chat on "Why the Principles Matter", in which India will participate.
Discussions on implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection
(UNGCP) by Member States.
Deliberations on consumer information and education, sustainable consumption, enforcement of
consumer protection law in global markets, and cross-border consumer protection.
Voluntary Peer Review of Argentina's consumer protection law and policy.
Review of recent legal and institutional developments, capacity-building initiatives and adoption of
the report and provisional agenda for the next Session.Over the last fourteen months, the National Consumer Helpline has facilitated refunds of more than
₹91.77 crore across 36 sectors by resolving over 1.47 lakh refund-related grievances before they
reached litigation.
The Department has also strengthened consumer dispute resolution through e-Jagriti, an AI-enabled
digital platform that enables online filing of complaints, virtual hearings, electronic case management and
digital access to proceedings. The platform also enables Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and consumers
residing abroad to pursue consumer complaints digitally, supporting cross-border consumer dispute
resolution. India's chairing of the Ninth Session reflects its continued engagement in strengthening
international cooperation and advancing effective consumer protection frameworks.
***
RT/ SB / ARC
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