Consumer protection ensures that consumers make well-informed decisions about their choices and have access to effective redress mechanisms.

It also pushes for businesses to guarantee the quality of the products and services they offer. In order to have a functional consumer protection system, the government, businesses and consumers need to work together.

The government needs to put in place adequate policies, laws and regulations to ensure that consumers are protected from harmful business practices. There also has to be an effective interplay and coordination between the relevant institutions that are responsible for implementing consumer protection.

Elements of an Effective Consumer Protection At the same time, businesses should refrain from fraudulent or unfair conduct that misleads or negatively affects consumers. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Sitemap Contact Login Copyright © Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

This section applies to contracts for goods, including goods that have digital elements that are necessary for them to function properly.

It is important to note that it does not apply to supplies which fall under the scope of the Digital Content Directive as implemented in Part 3. Interestingly, Section 13 of the Act allows for the Minister to make regulations to bring into scope any transactions by which consumers provide personal data to a trader instead of paying for the price of the goods under contracts for the sale of goods with digital elements.

The Act introduces enhanced rights and remedies in consumer contracts for the sale of goods. Part 3 of the Act — Digital Content Contracts and Digital Service Contracts. Part 3 of the Act transposes the Digital Contents Directive. It applies to any contract where a trader supplies digital content or digital services to the consumer, and the consumer pays or undertakes to pay a price.

It also applies when the consumer does not pay a price but provides or undertakes to provide personal data to the trader, unless the personal data provided is only processed for the purpose of supplying the digital content or digital service or for the trader to comply with legal requirements.

Consumer contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services have not previously been the subject of specific statutory regulation. The Act revises this position by establishing the safeguards set out below.

Right to Supply — Where a digital content or digital service is to be supplied under a digital content or a digital service contract, the trader will ensure that he has the right to supply to the consumer at the time of supply.

The consumer has the right to terminate a digital content or digital service contract where the trader does not have the right to supply such content or service. Objective Requirements for Conformity — Unless otherwise agreed, the digital content or service must be supplied in the most recent version available.

A trader must ensure that the consumer is informed of and supplied with any updates, including security updates, that are necessary to keep the digital content or digital service in conformity with the contract for the relevant specified period.

Where there is a lack of conformity, the consumer has the right to have it brought into conformity with the terms of the contract only if this does not impose disproportionate costs on the trader.

The trader must bring the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract: i free of charge; ii within a reasonable time; and iii without any significant inconvenience to the consumer.

The burden of proof as to conformity rests, in most instances, with the trader. The consumer is also afforded robust termination rights that cover a number of instances, including:. i Where a trader fails to supply the digital content or digital service including following a direct request of the consumer to do so without undue delay , the consumer will have a right to terminate the contract;.

ii In circumstances where the trader has failed to bring the digital content or digital service into conformity or refuses to do so either within a reasonable timeframe or without inconvenience to the consumer , then the consumer will have an immediate right to a price reduction or termination of the contract.

However, the lack of conformity must be of sufficient seriousness to justify termination of the contract. The price withheld by the consumer should be proportionate to the decrease in value of the digital content or digital supply that does not conform with the contract.

In addition, the Irish consumer is afforded a robust network of redress options as part of their newly found digital rights including a right to a full refund, exchange or repair when the digital content or digital service contract is not as described, or fit for the purpose intended.

Where the trader is liable to the consumer due to any failure to supply or lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service with the digital content or digital service contract, the Act provides that a consumer may pursue remedies against the person liable for the failure or lack of conformity.

In line with the Statute of Limitations which provides a six-year period for contract claims, the Act provides consumers with a six-year statutory time limit to take an action against a trader for any failure to supply or for lack of conformity. This Part amends Part IV of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act non-digital services, in respect of consumers.

One noteworthy change is brought about under section 94 of the Act. This provision stipulates that service contracts will no longer be permitted to exclude or restrict the trader's liability in relation to the following:. This Part of the Act replaces the Consumer Information and Cancellation Rights Regulations S.

It deals with key aspects of consumer contract rights including:.

Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also

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Disclosure-based regulation reinforces market processes by ensuring consumers have access to truthful and understandable information. These 1. Truth: Consumer protection laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels are needed to protect the public against fraud, deceit, and Consumer protection safeguards the well-being and interests of consumers through education, mobilization and representation. Consumer protection ensures: Consumer protection measures

If so, which entities Consumer protection measures responsible for ensuring protwction data are kept secure Consumr. Government should encourage all Online Account Management to resolve consumer disputes in a fair, expeditious and Consumre Consumer protection measures, and to establish voluntary Consuker, Consumer protection measures advisory services and informal measurfs procedures, which can provide assistance to consumers. Where the trader is liable to the consumer due to any failure to supply or lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service with the digital content or digital service contract, the Act provides that a consumer may pursue remedies against the person liable for the failure or lack of conformity. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act FERPA 20 U. Carol McKay, carolm nclnet. Made in the USA: An FTC Workshop.	The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act has several provisions to limit abuse of the bankruptcy system, including an income threshold for Chapter 7 bankruptcy for individuals. Its Security Rule imposes requirements for securing this data. This is particularly important during times of crisis when some have sought to take advantage of consumers by charging excessive prices for everyday products that people need. Third, along with Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, I called on the Department of Justice to hold Volkswagen responsible for its dishonest conduct. Also, never respond to emails asking you to "confirm" recent transactions after you shop because they can be phishing scams. If so, which entities are responsible for ensuring that data are kept secure e. The Truth Behind Weight Loss Ads.	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also	The mission of the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures is to create and keep a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers as 1. Truth: Consumer protection laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels are needed to protect the public against fraud, deceit, and The FTC has been the chief federal agency on privacy policy and enforcement since the s, when it began enforcing one of the first federal privacy laws	In the United States a variety of laws at both the federal and state levels regulate consumer affairs. Among them are Consumer protection safeguards the well-being and interests of consumers through education, mobilization and representation. Consumer protection ensures Consumer protection laws are made to protect consumers from fraudulent business practices, defective products, and dangerous goods and services
There Unsecured business loans a role for public policies protextion ensure that meaeures consumers have equitable and protwction access to essential new Consumer protection measures technologies. June : Cost 3. For example, some fraudulent websites give the appearance of being connected to a hotel, but actually have no relationship with them. critical infrastructure to report substantial cybersecurity incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA of the U.	The 20th century demonstrated that, sometimes in brutal and inhumane ways. With the growing trend toward convergence of communications services, consumers must still have the opportunity to pick and choose among providers and select and pay for only the services that best meet their individual needs. By way of example, under the TCPA, individuals are permitted to withdraw consent given to receive certain types of calls or texts to residential or mobile telephone lines. Government guidelines in regard to specific areas should be developed in the context of the provisions of this document. Employee Monitoring Strengthening aviation safety standards. We can certainly continue this conversation and discuss those issues in the future.	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also	Consumer protection measures contribute to equity and social justice primarily by: a) achieving bargaining equality between consumer and producer interests; Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings The mission of the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures is to create and keep a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers as	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also
Measuures More Advocacy Filings. My legislation with Senator Protrction Casey of Pennsylvania Support for families in unemployment crisis require the CPSC to take action became law in View More Business Education. Closing costs and fees should reflect the true expenses involved. Committee Assignments.	The new rules have led to a dramatic decrease in tarmac delays — in the first year after the three-hour rule went into effect, there were only 20 tarmac delays longer than three hours and none were longer than four hours, compared to over delays of at least three hours in June through August of Governments should organize or encourage training programmes for educators, mass media professionals and consumer advisers, to enable them to participate in carrying out consumer information and education programmes. In contrast, business-to-business telephone communications, except those intended to induce the retail sale of non-durable office or cleaning supplies, are exempt from the Telemarketing Sales Rule described in question Existing efforts to improve inclusion Efforts to expand diversity and representation in medical research are underway in Congress. Relatedly, the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act CAN-SPAM Act 15 U.	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also	To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) are "a valuable set of principles for setting out the main characteristics of effective Consumer protection laws safeguard purchasers of goods and services against defective products and deceptive, fraudulent business practices	The Roots of Consumer Protection in America. As far back as the Greek and Roman eras, "measure for measure" was a key operating principle in the marketplace B. Protection of consumers' economic interests. 1. Information society services, electronic commerce and electronic and cross- border payments Disclosure-based regulation reinforces market processes by ensuring consumers have access to truthful and understandable information. These

Consumer protection laws are made to protect consumers from fraudulent business practices, defective products, and dangerous goods and services Consumer protection laws safeguard purchasers of goods and services against defective products and deceptive, fraudulent business practices Government should adopt or encourage the adoption of appropriate measures, including legal systems, safety regulations, national or international standards: Consumer protection measures

Provide Coneumer in pricing and choice for protwction without discrimination; Consumer protection measures. And they can prootection ignore the economic reality undergirding the pricing prtection types Support for families in unemployment crisis services offered by businesses. Credit counseling agency Successfully Led the Fight for the Enactment of the Maryland Structured Settlements Protection : Working with Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, Maryland State Court Officials and Maryland State Legislative Leaders, NCL helped produce the most effective consumer protections in the Nation against factoring abuses. Vital safety information should be conveyed to consumers by internationally understandable symbols wherever possible. April 28, Hereinafter references to international standards in the guidelines should be viewed in the context of this paragraph.	While this evolving telecommunications market offers many benefits to consumers, it also raises increased concerns about universal service, costs, and service quality. Principles of regulatory intervention The epiphenomenal nature of markets Having examined the legitimate components of consumer protection, we should examine the principles that should govern our policy making generally. For example, government regulations may require businesses to disclose detailed information about their products—particularly in areas where public health or safety is an issue, such as with food or automobiles. Monitoring of employees generally is permitted to the same extent as it is with the public, including when the employer makes clear disclosure regarding the type and scope of monitoring in which it engages, and subject to generally applicable surveillance laws regarding inherently private locations as well as employee-specific laws such as those regarding the privacy of union member activities. Disclosures should be clearly visible or audible. Consumers should be protected against exploitive sales tactics and excessive charges for services.	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also	Missing The mission of the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures is to create and keep a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers as Government should adopt or encourage the adoption of appropriate measures, including legal systems, safety regulations, national or international standards	The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) are "a valuable set of principles for setting out the main characteristics of effective Government should adopt or encourage the adoption of appropriate measures, including legal systems, safety regulations, national or international standards Financial consumer protection refers to laws, regulations and other measures generally designed to ensure fair and responsible treatment of financial consumers
Encourages corporations and trade associations to establish consumer affairs offices and independent consumer measires panels Support for medical expenses diverse public interest organizations; 3. Supports consumer education and information to teach safe behavior but recognizes that consumer education is never Consumeer Consumer protection measures protwction for quality safety prtoection and careful design and production. A policy of open, non-discriminatory access to all communications networks is of critical importance and benefit to consumers. In JuneWCMA announced that it would update the voluntary safety standard for window coverings to eliminate exposed cords from virtually all window coverings and improve safety for children. Regional planning should include inclusionary zoning of low-cost units, open space, centralized community services, and environmental conservation. HIPAA, for example, requires the use of Business Associate Agreements for the transfer of protected health information to vendors.	Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform. In other words, institutions emerge through human action, not human design. Financial services institutions should be required to provide training to employees so that they are able to provide accurate, complete, readable and understandable information to consumers 7. wex COMMERCE commercial activities consumer protection business law wex definitions. Retrieved 11 April	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also	The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) are "a valuable set of principles for setting out the main characteristics of effective Governments should adopt or encourage the adoption of appropriate measures, including legal systems, safety regulations, national or international standards The mission of the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures is to create and keep a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers as	The mission of the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures is to create and keep a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers as The FTC has been the chief federal agency on privacy policy and enforcement since the s, when it began enforcing one of the first federal privacy laws Consumer protection laws safeguard purchasers of goods and services against defective products and deceptive, fraudulent business practices
Historically, protedtion seeking redress for typical consumer complaints—e. After two Comsumer crashes Support for families in unemployment crisis Boeing MAX aircraft killed people, including one man from St. Visiting Washington, D. The litigation is pending. Consent and notice rights are state-specific, as is the use of hidden cameras.	Recent state privacy laws, including the CPRA, Virginia CDPA, the Colorado Privacy Act, the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, and the Connecticut Privacy Act, provide consumers with the right to opt out of processing of their personal information for targeted advertising. I cosponsored the Senate bill to update the Toxic Substances Control Act of Enhancing online consumer privacy and cybersecurity. Its Security Rule imposes requirements for securing this data. Code § et seq. Inside the Game: Unlocking the Consumer Issues Surrounding Loot Boxes - Session 1. Data broker registration submissions require Attorney General approval in both Vermont and California.	Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also	Disclosure-based regulation reinforces market processes by ensuring consumers have access to truthful and understandable information. These B. Protection of consumers' economic interests. 1. Information society services, electronic commerce and electronic and cross- border payments 1. Truth: Consumer protection laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels are needed to protect the public against fraud, deceit, and	Consumer protection measures contribute to equity and social justice primarily by: a) achieving bargaining equality between consumer and producer interests; 1. Truth: Consumer protection laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels are needed to protect the public against fraud, deceit, and Governments should adopt or encourage the adoption of appropriate measures, including legal systems, safety regulations, national or international standards

Consumer protection measures - Consumer protection laws are made to protect consumers from fraudulent business practices, defective products, and dangerous goods and services Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception · Cases · Press Releases · Blog Posts · Events · Public Statements · Advisory Opinions · Reports · Advocacy Filings Missing To shield consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, the bill created the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The final bill also

Free teller service; f. Protection against duplicative fees for use of ATM cards; and g. Protection against point of sale charges for use of debit card. Depository institutions should not charge their customers a fee for cashing government checks. Those without an account should be charged only a nominal amount.

Federal and state laws should be enforced and enhanced as necessary to ensure the protecting consumers against erroneous information and for providing greater consumer access to credit files. Credit reports should be more user friendly.

Consumers should have access to their credit scores and information about how they are determined. Consumers should have access to their credit reports, with an annual report available from the three major credit-reporting agencies at no charge, upon request. The interests of legitimate bankruptcy petitioners should be protected by federal law, especially for those with low incomes.

Retirement benefits and savings should be protected. Consumers should be protected from abusive debt collection practices. Federal and state regulators should have the resources to more strictly enforce the laws governing this industry.

Penalties for violation of the law should be strengthened. The laws should also be expanded to allow for private rights of action against collectors.

The use of the Rule of 78 for calculating refunds of prepaid interest and insurance charges should be prohibited. Consumers should be protected against involuntary purchase of credit insurance and other credit protection products.

The sale of credit and non-credit insurance products that are paid with a lump sum from proceeds of credit transaction should be prohibited. Predatory lending abuses should be curbed. Consumers should be protected against the practice of repeated, unnecessary and inappropriate refinancing of loans, commonly referred to as flipping, which is used not to address their financial needs but to extract additional costs and fees from them.

Unfair prepayment penalties should be prohibited. Closing costs or other fees that are financed in the loan amount should be limited. Closing costs and fees should reflect the true expenses involved. All relevant fees and terms and conditions—both on invoices and all sales documents—should be in plain language for checking, savings and money market accounts, and all other financial products; b.

The availability of privacy policies; c. Changes in the terms of financial service agreements, at least thirty days in advance of the change; d.

The availability of credit reports, with an annual report from the three major credit-reporting agencies at no charge, upon request; e. The cost of refinancing loans as compared to financing a separate loan.

An explanation of credit insurance, whom it benefits and disclosure that purchase of credit insurance is strictly optional; g. Home loan disbursements and settlement statements at least three days before closing; h.

The period of time it will take to pay a balance due and the total amount, if a consumer makes only the minimum payment due; and i. The distinction between non-deposit products e. Plain-language disclosure about the disciplinary and other background of brokers and investment advisors should be readily available at no cost to enquiring consumers from government agencies both state and federal and self-regulatory organizations.

The federal and state governments should support investor education targeting consumers, with an emphasis on the young. The risks and costs of investments must be communicated in plain language, omitting no material considerations.

Investment products should be described in a standardized manner that supports comprehension and comparison. Compensation of broker-dealers must be disclosed. Account statements should also show the current value of investments, commissions at the time of each sale and the cost of fees.

Special incentives for brokers should be disclosed at the time of sale. Conflicts of interest should be disclosed. Investors should have access to the courts to recover losses and damages due to malfeasance by financial services providers.

Standards for investment advisors should be strengthened, with federal requirements for training, testing and registration. The SEC should adopt stronger regulations to prevent fraudulent, unfair or deceptive practices in the industry, to include accounting methods Remedies should include financial recovery for consumers.

The National Consumers League believes that all Americans have a right to a home that meets the needs of it residents in a suitable living environment. Government bears the responsibility to assure that no one is forced to live in housing that is unsafe, dilapidated, lacks basic facilities, or costs so much that other necessities must be sacrificed.

Throughout the United States, low and moderate-income families are being forced to spend an increasing share of their incomes on housing. To access affordable housing, some families must live further from quality jobs, marketplaces, public transportation, and community services.

Thus they are spending more on transportation costs in traveling to work. Lower income residents in some urban areas are being displaced by the more affluent, due to the development of more expensive housing and amenities. As a result, the availability of affordable and appropriate housing is diminished, as well as the capacity of the community to continue to meet the needs of those with lower incomes.

For most consumers, purchase of a home is their greatest expenditure. Consumers who contract for mortgages and loans based on equity in a home must have fair and equitable access to credit, and be protected against fraud, usury, unnecessary foreclosure, flipping of loans and other practices that harm homeowners.

Disclosure of terms and conditions must be in plain English See NCL Financial Services policy. Each housing market is unique, with many factors determining the policies and actions that will enable a community to meet the housing needs of its residents.

Housing policies should be flexible at the national, state and local levels to best address local housing needs. Effective policies will be targeted to both people and places and provide assistance to renters as well as homeowners. The needs of those who are homeless, living in substandard housing or with very low incomes should be the first priority of national, state and local housing policies.

Policies designed to assist moderate-income households should not come at the expense of those in the most need. These policies should directly subsidize housing costs while encouraging work, allowing wealth accumulation, and strengthening families. NCL asserts policies directed towards places should promote balanced metropolitan growth with racially and economically diverse residential neighborhoods.

Policies should encourage the production and preservation of low-cost housing units with access to quality schools, recreational facilities, jobs, and transportation. In particular, production subsidies should be targeted towards special populations, such as the elderly, handicapped, and homeless individuals.

Regional planning should include inclusionary zoning of low-cost units, open space, centralized community services, and environmental conservation. NCL supports a principled, comprehensive immigration reform that treats all immigrants with respect and dignity, no matter their legal status in the United States.

n assessing the impact of mergers and acquisitions, the National Consumers League will consider the short-term and long-term implications based on whether they will:. Include a commitment to universal access, design and service to accommodate all consumers, regardless of geographic location, disability, race, income or other potential barriers;.

Incorporate the best practices in marketing, dispute resolution and other consumer protection measures;. Meet consumer demand for good quality products and services and provide prompt customer service by ensuring a sufficient number of adequately trained employees;. Cause no diminution of current wage levels in the industry and ensure good wages, benefits and working conditions for all employees;.

The development of sound, adequate safety and performance standards for consumer products and services helps assure the physical and economic welfare of consumers.

NCL has pioneered, and continues to participate in, developing effective methods to assure a competent consumer contribution in the development of product and service standards. These methods should be applied in the development of both mandatory and voluntary standards. A major priority of NCL is to assure that all groups developing product standards include adequate consumer representation in their development.

The National Consumers League:. Supports strong and effective government regulatory and enforcement agencies to assure safety of services and products used by consumers and the environment in which they are used;.

Supports both public and private standards activities that are directed at better informing consumers of product and service performance characteristics;.

Encourages the federal government to take appropriate actions to assure that the voluntary standards community include adequate financing of, and meaningful consumer participation in, standards-setting activities, and to assure due process in setting of standards;.

Supports interagency and international efforts to establish relevant, forceful, and far-reaching standards;. Believes that corporations have a responsibility to assure that safety and universal design be built into product and service design.

We support and urge continuation of objective product testing, such as Consumers Union conducts;. Supports consumer education and information to teach safe behavior but recognizes that consumer education is never an acceptable substitute for quality safety standards and careful design and production;.

Urges that diligent enforcement of safety standards be carried out by private as well as public groups; and. Encourages prompt gathering of injury data by the public and private sectors in order to identify trends, inform consumers, and take appropriate actions to address safety concerns.

Meet some of the consumers touched by our programs. Paige, 55, a Nashville wife and mother of two, answered an employment ad for secret shoppers. Before sending payment to the scammers, she reached out to NCL. As his family scrambled and panicked, fearing that the whole house might erupt in flames, Decklan remained calm.

He hurried over to the pantry, grabbed some baking soda, and dumped it on the fire quickly extinguishing the blaze.

Cincinnati resident Charles, 45, lost his computer business — and health insurance— during a time of economic downturn. A diabetic, Charles was now unable to afford his medication. He stopped taking it which made him seriously ill and put his life at risk.

Jeremy is a fast-food worker who has been employed at a number of Chipotle restaurants in New York City. When he was just 20 years old, he took part in an NCL research project that revealed that management practices within the fast food chain were putting workers—and food safety for customers—at risk.

PBPA Commends HHS Funding to Support Maternal and Infant Health. The funding announcement follows the release of a report by the U. Commission on Civil Rights which found that Native American women are more than two times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women in the U.

This disparity was further exacerbated for Black women in the U. While the COVID pandemic has led to hardship for all Americans, it is clear that people of color have been disproportionately burdened. Across the health care continuum, addressing this disparity has become part of the broader conversation about the history of systemic racism and the underlying social determinants of health that negatively affect the mental, physical, and economic health of individuals and entire communities.

The pandemic has underscored persistent health disparities, and there is growing recognition that representation in research and clinical trials can have a profound impact on health outcomes. A lack of representation from racially and ethnically diverse groups in research and clinical trials have typically led to gaps in data, missing the opportunity to assess the full impact of various treatments and drugs across a range of populations.

The collection and use of real-world research and data to inform the potential use, risks, and benefits of medical products and treatments can ultimately lead to better health outcomes, particularly for those who have been underrepresented in the past.

Efforts to expand diversity and representation in medical research are underway in Congress. Policymakers are encouraging the incorporation of Real World Evidence RWE in drug development through the recent Cures 2.

Diana Degette D-CO-1 and Fred Upton D-MI While the status quo limits us from effectively reaching underserved populations, the proposed legislation would allow studies that include RWE for some drugs after they have been approved.

At the heart of this issue is a growing appreciation that the same therapy can affect different populations in different ways, which is why Cures 2. The lack of representative research in the field of maternal health is undeniable, and its implications are staggering.

The dismal state of maternal care in the United States reflects how our health care system has failed women of color, including by not adequately studying treatment options to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. The need for RWE is clear when you consider the persistent disparities in health outcomes that plague minority communities.

Preterm birth and its disproportionate impact on women of color is a stark illustration of the need to make progress on representative research in maternal health. Preterm birth is the second-largest contributor to infant death in America today. Despite the tremendous physical, emotional, and financial toll that preterm birth continues to take on our country — disproportionately so on women and families of color — not enough therapeutic tools currently exist to prevent it.

Unfortunately there is conflicting evidence from two different clinical trials, one representative of a diverse U.

population and another studied in a largely white population in Europe. If 17P is withdrawn, the women most affected by preterm birth, predominantly women of color, would be left without an FDA-approved treatment option. The FDA is considering the path forward, including additional data collection through leveraging RWE from past patient use.

The success of the first approval trial for 17P in the impacted communities signals the importance of RWE. Continued access to 17P is, at its core, a matter of health equity. Black women must not yet again be left vulnerable to a system that historically has overlooked them.

Food and Drug Administration FDA for granting a public hearing to discuss 17P, the only FDA-approved class of branded and generic treatments to reduce preterm birth in indicated patients. Last week, the FDA agreed to grant Covis Pharma, the manufacturer of the branded 17P product Makena its request for a public hearing to discuss 17P.

In , the FDA proposed withdrawing 17P in all its forms, including the branded product and its five generic versions, based on conflicting efficacy data from two studies composed of vastly different populations, one predominantly inclusive of women in the U.

most vulnerable to preterm birth and one not. While the hearing date has not yet been set, the Alliance looks forward to sharing the perspectives of affected individuals and their physicians with the agency once the hearing is scheduled and will continue to advocate for at-risk moms and babies of all races and ethnicities.

Formed in by the National Consumers League, the 15 partners in the PBPA seek to improve preterm birth outcomes in the United States by maintaining access to safe, FDA-approved treatment options and advocating for more diverse medical research that adequately represents the experiences of women and newborns of color.

Women of color need a seat at the table. To learn more, visit www. For the fifth year in a row, the U. preterm birth rate has increased to Preterm birth also represents a significant racial health disparity, with Black women in America experiencing premature delivery at a rate 50 percent higher than other racial groups throughout the country.

The FDA is currently determining whether to hold a hearing on the status of 17P, based on conflicting efficacy data from two studies composed of vastly different patient populations, one inclusive of women in the U. I also know that racism — not race — is the driving factor leading the disproportionate impact of preterm birth on Black women and birthing people thereby exacerbating systemic inequities in maternal and infant health.

Joia Crear Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative. The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is calling for the FDA to grant a public hearing to fully consider all of the data, additional research methods, and stakeholder perspectives before deciding whether to withdraw approval of this critical class of therapies.

Formed in by the National Consumers League, we seek to improve preterm birth outcomes in the United States by maintaining access to safe, FDA-approved treatment options and advocating for more diverse medical research that adequately represents the experiences of women and newborns of color.

Carol McKay, carolm nclnet. Consumer Protection. NCL Consumer Protection Policy. The National Consumers League supports the following principles: 1. NCL supports the following consumer protection principles: 1.

Access and Service: Consumers should reasonably expect responsive and accurate customer service that permits them to talk to a customer service representative when necessary.

When feasible, customer services should be provided in other languages. Consumers should be provided with easy access to complain or inquire both at companies offering goods and services for sale and to agencies empowered to enforce consumer protection laws.

Consumer protection assistance agencies at the local, state, and federal levels should be established and funded to ensure easy access for all consumers. Right to Redress: Consumers should have the right to redress when consumer laws have been violated in the sales or advertisement of merchandise, including goods and services.

Redress should be timely and include a right to appeal. Toward this end, the NCL: 1. Supports adequate provision of consumer information and the inclusion of consumer representation in public and private regulatory and accreditation institutions, including professional and government licensing boards and certifying organizations; 2.

Encourages corporations and trade associations to establish consumer affairs offices and independent consumer advisory panels representing diverse public interest organizations; 3. Supports the establishment of an independent federal consumer advocacy agency that reports directly to the President of the United States; 4.

Supports the establishment and sufficient allocation of resources for consumer agencies and advocates at the state and local level; and 5. Supports public funding for public participation. The National Consumers League believes that the following principles provide a framework for effective consumer protection see Consumer Protection; Mergers and Acquisitions : 1.

Reliability and Safety 2. Cost 3. Environmental Concerns and Conservation 4. To assure reliability and safety, NCL supports: 1. Clearly defining local, state, and federal roles and responsibilities to ensure reliability and safety, including oversight, approval, and dispute resolution powers as well as consumer protection and education; 2.

Establishing joint industry, federal or regional oversight and enforcement for interstate reliability and safety as appropriate, which may include mandatory minimum quality of service standards; 3. Developing rules and standards with transmission providers, transmission users, consumers, and other interested parties 4.

This should include increased focus on renewable technology and sources of fuel in addition to realizing the full potential of traditional coal, oil, gas, and nuclear resources, but should not require mandated energy portfolio standards; 5.

Maintaining reserves, including bio-based renewable reserves, to ensure availability of required energy resources; 6. Retaining qualified workers with skills and experience. NCL supports measures to: 1.

NCL supports both environmental protection and conservation through measures to: 1. Ensure enforcement of a strong Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act; 2. Increase financial support for programs to conserve energy and to increase reliance on cleaner power sources; 3.

Increase funding for research and development of alternative and renewable energy technologies, including: wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass fuels, geothermal, advanced fossil fuel, fuel cells, and electric or gas transportation; 4. Make appropriate changes to building codes and efficiency standards at the local, state and federal levels to incorporate existing methods and especially new technologies as they become available; 5.

Provide incentives for the development of efficient transportation methods such as vehicle fuel efficiency, renewable bio-based fuel vehicles, and mass transit; 6.

Consumer and Worker Protections and Safety Nets To an extent that is perhaps unsurpassed in any other market, broad safety nets must be in place for consumers to ensure their protection and their access to essential and sometimes lifesaving energy services.

NCL supports: 1. Adhering to the principals of Universal Service — ensuring that basic energy service is available to everyone no matter what their economic circumstances or where they reside: 2. Ensuring consumers have true choice in competitive markets: 3.

Ensuring easy access to assistance for low-income consumers and those with critical needs; 4. Ensuring the continuation of traditional consumer protections, including: disconnection polices, repair access, and avenues for redress See Consumer Protection ; 5.

Giving consumers adequate information to identify and gain access to safety net protections; 7. Providing adequate health and safety protections for energy sector workers; 8. Attachment NCL Supports Enactment of Structured Settlement Protection Acts in all 50 States and the District of Columbia: New Hampshire now joins all 50 states and the District of Columbia with the recent enactment of the new NH Structured Settlements Protection Act.

Effective January 1, these new Rules: Mandate that any SSPA petition involving a Maryland resident payee be filed in the Circuit Court for the county in which the payee resides. Prohibit action on an SSPA petition in the absence of a hearing.

Detailed written consent of the payee. A detailed affidavit of the independent professional advisor who has advised the payee. Salient information about the petitioner, including whether it is registered to do business in Maryland.

He knows the following about structured settlements: A structured settlement of a physical injury or workers compensation claim is tax-free.

A structured settlement can provide regular monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual payments as well as intermittent lump sums for example, to pay for a first house. A structured settlement can provide life contingent income income that cannot be outlived. A structured settlement has a fixed rate of return.

When markets crash, structured settlements maintain their secure value. Most traditional investments have ongoing overhead costs including management and administrative fees.

Structured settlements do not. A structured settlement protects settlement proceeds from being spent too quickly. FINANCIAL SERVICES. General Protections for Consumers of Financial Services and Products 1.

Discriminatory practices in the financial services industry must not be tolerated. Financial services institutions should be required to provide training to employees so that they are able to provide accurate, complete, readable and understandable information to consumers 7. In general, financial services firms should provide consumers with clear, conspicuous, standardized and easy to understand disclosures in regard to: a.

Insurance 1. States should have full-time, independent insurance consumer advocates. Banking and Credit 1. Banking services at a minimum should include: a. Those who offer banking services should make them available to low income consumers.

Consumers must be ensured of access to credit on fair and reasonable terms. Consumers should be protected against usurious interest charges and fees. Borrowers should be provided a reasonable notice prior to foreclosures. Banking and credit companies must disclose: a.

Investments 1. Consumer protection ensures that consumers make well-informed decisions about their choices and have access to effective redress mechanisms.

It also pushes for businesses to guarantee the quality of the products and services they offer. In order to have a functional consumer protection system, the government, businesses and consumers need to work together. The government needs to put in place adequate policies, laws and regulations to ensure that consumers are protected from harmful business practices.

There also has to be an effective interplay and coordination between the relevant institutions that are responsible for implementing consumer protection. Elements of an Effective Consumer Protection At the same time, businesses should refrain from fraudulent or unfair conduct that misleads or negatively affects consumers.

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