Consumer Protection in International Private Relationships

Abstract

The article touches upon certain aspects of consumer protection in international private relationships. Special attention is paid to the international dimension of consumer protection and supranational level of consumer protection with regard to EU and MERCOSUR approaches. General principles of consumer protection are being considered, conclusions on the application of international and supranational documents are made. Thus, in Part 1 international documents (1985 United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, 2007 Lugano convention, etc.) are in focus. The trend now is to draft national consumer rules many of which are considered mandatory as well as the harmonization of national consumer rules within the framework of economic integration organizations, such as the European Union and the MERCOSUR. That`s why in Part 2 supranational level of consumer protection (EU and MERCOSUR) is under study with regard to the idea how choice of law rules should be designed in order to protect consumers in an efficient way.