Side-Event: International Product Safety and Digital Consumption

Ninth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy (6 to 8 July 2026) and the twenty-third session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy (8 to 10 July 2026).

IACL – ILA – BRASILCON – CDEA

Date: 7 July
Time: 08:50–09:50
Venue: Room S1, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Organized at the invitation of: UNCTAD

Resume:

Products and services are progressively interconnected, with digital technologies reshaping production, distribution, and ways of consumption. In this evolving context, consumer product safety has emerged as a key concern for governments, international organizations, businesses, and consumers. This discussion is particularly relevant when considering so-called “digital transactions” within global platforms and online marketplaces, as well as the associated risks of dark patterns, the role of artificial intelligence, and the increasing fluidity of digital environments. Furthermore, the current climate crisis highlights the need for sustainable and circular economy models, particularly in relation to food.  This side event will provide a platform to exchange views on current challenges, good practices and policy responses related to product safety in the digital marketplace, with particular reference to the work undertaken by UNCTAD to strengthen consumer protection frameworks at the international level.

Objectives

The side-event aims to:

• Discuss emerging risks to consumer product safety in digital and global markets
• Explore the interaction between digital technologies, sustainability, and product safety
• Share experiences on national and international implementation of product safety standards
• Contribute to the impact of the UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety (Resolution 80/119), draft sponsored in 2025 by Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden.

Opening and Chair

• Chair: Dr. Dr. h. c. Thierry Bourgoignie (former President of the IACL)
• Co-Chair: Dr. Dr. h. c. Claudia Lima Marques (Chair of the ILA´s Committee on International Protection of Consumers, former President of the IACL and Brasilcon)

The opening remarks will highlight the increasing global and digital nature of consumption, the convergence between products and services, and of the importance of the UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety (Resolution 80/119) and also of ensuring that product safety is treated as a fundamental consumer right, including in the context of global platforms and sustainable consumption models.

Programme

(10 minutes per speaker)

• Dr. Alfredo Ferrante (University of Pavia)
  Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Consumer Product Safety
• Dr. Andrea Marighetto (JBS, Amsterdam)
  Product Safety and Sustainable Consumption
• Dr. Christine Riefa (University of Redings)
  New Harms and Unsafe/Banned Products in Online Marketplaces
• Dr. Guilherme Mucelin (IDP, Brasília)
  National Implementation of the UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety

Format and Participation

The side event will consist of 10 minutes of expert interventions followed by concluding remarks. The event will be held  in person and is open to delegates, representatives of international organizations, academia, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.

Working Language

English

Organization by: Prof. Dr. Alfredo Ferrante (IACL); Prof. Dr. Claudia Lima Marques (ILA, Brasilcon and CDEA).