FTC Announces Agenda for Upcoming Forum on Protecting Consumers Through Cross-Border Codes of Conduct

The Federal Trade Commission announced the agenda for its November 29 forum exploring the use of enforceable industry codes of conduct to protect consumers in cross-border commerce. The forum will examine how government entities, businesses, consumer groups, and other organizations can develop and administer voluntary procedures that govern areas falling outside of traditional government oversight.  These systems are becoming increasingly important with the expansion of global commerce.

The forum will open with introductory remarks by FTC Commissioner Edith Ramirez, followed by a panel discussion on the rise of cross-border codes of conduct and a speech by former FTC Chairman William E. Kovacic on the antitrust implications of such codes.  The forum also will feature panel discussions on two code-based systems, including one created earlier this year to give consumers in the Asia-Pacific region more consistent privacy protections when their information moves between countries with different privacy rules.  The subsequent panel will address how recent U.S. legislation on toy and food safety has incorporated elements of code-based systems, including third-party standards and independent conformity assessment.  The final panel will focus on best practices and metrics used to measure and compare code-based systems.

The FTC is presenting this forum in conjunction with the 2012 Biennial Meeting of the American Society of International Law International Economic Law Interest Group. Parties may submit relevant academic articles, papers, codes of conduct, studies, and related materials and request that they be posted on the FTC’s event web page by sending an email to the FTC’s Office of International Affairs.

The FTC forum is free and open to the public, and pre-registration is not required.  It will be held at the FTC’s satellite conference center at 601 New Jersey Ave., NW, Washington, DC.  Please arrive at the FTC 30 minutes before the event, and bring a valid government issued photo ID.  The security processing will include a metal detector and X-ray screening of all hand carried items.

Enforceable Codes of Conduct: Protecting Consumers Across Borders

As more U.S. companies and consumers do business overseas, more FTC work involves international cooperation.  The Office of International Affairs serves both as an internal resource to Commission staff on international aspects of their work and as an official representative to numerous international organizations.  In addition, the FTC cooperates with foreign authorities through formal and informal agreements.  The FTC works with more than 100 foreign competition and consumer protection authorities around the world to promote sound policy approaches.  For questions about the Office of International Affairs, send an e-mail to oia@ftc.gov.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources, including the FTC International Monthly.