Brazilian Consumer Protection Research Articles

Dissemination of Consumer Law and Policy in Brazil: The Impact of EU Law.

This paper analyses the influence of European Law on Brazilian Consumer Law. It starts by describing the general features of Brazilian Consumer Protection law, including the constitutional dimension of consumer protection, and the introduction of the Brazilian Consumer Protection and Defence Code (CDC). It also highlights product liability, product safety, and product warranties. Some of these topics are illustrated by the case of the telecommunications sector.

A comunicação dos requisitos de desempenho ao consumidor do mercado imobiliário

Os consumidores do mercado imobiliário envolvem-se poucas vezes durante a vida no processo de compra de imóveis. Durante esse processo, esses consumidores utilizam informações limitadas para avaliar o valor de um imóvel, em razão de não terem acesso a informações completas e por falta de conhecimento e experiência. As informações sobre a qualidade e desempenho de um imóvel no ato de venda são direito fundamental do consumidor, presente no Código de Defesa do Consumidor (CDC) e também são requisitos obrigatórios que constam na Norma Brasileira de Desempenho (ABNT, 2013). Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar a percepção dos envolvidos no processo de compra (corretores e clientes) quanto aos benefícios desta informação e as formas de comunicação mais adequadas para orientar o consumidor no processo de decisão de compra. A pesquisa é de cunho qualitativo realizada por meio de entrevistas em duas fases distintas. A primeira fase baseou-se na revisão da literatura e em entrevistas realizadas com corretores e especialistas da Norma de Desempenho. Na segunda fase foram entrevistados consumidores do mercado imobiliário, a fim de obter suas percepções sobre o tema. Os resultados indicam a importância do repasse de informações completas e claras dos imóveis ao consumidor. Sugere-se para pesquisas futuras verificar como as informações técnicas influenciam a tomada de decisão do consumidor no processo de compra e identificar como esta informação deve ser apresentada ao cliente.

Aportes para la comprensión de la arquitectura jurídica de la relación de consumo en el derecho brasilero

The Brazilian Consumer Protection and Defense Act has granted special protection to several categories. In doing so it has in fact recognized the stricto sensu, the bystander, and the collectively protected categories, further associating prospective protection to all those who may be reached by any number of commerce practices. It has also not waived rights of collective bargaining for consumer demands as fundamental rights. This article seeks to explore whether the current theoretical background that aims to categorize collectives as consumers is enough to deal with the issues within the field. Our hypothesis is that the current background is not sufficient given the need to overcome, through a complex hermeneutic approach, the answers proposed by the dogmatic perspective within consumer studies. Our approach seeks to critically analyze the juridical literature written on the topic in Brazil, mapping decisions written during the almost 30 years of effectivity of the Brazilian Consumer Protection and Defense Act, reviewing each of the current theories on the issue of consumer protection, and finally proposing an overarching theory of consumer protection.

Brazilian clinical engineering regulations: health equipment management and conditions for professional exercise

Abstract Introduction In Brazil, professionals, scientific community, and members of regulatory bodies have not yet achieved a consensus regarding who can legally perform the professional duties of a clinical engineer. We aim at clarifying this aspect, based on a detailed analysis of the pertinent regulations. Methods We acted on three fronts: (i) reviewing the current legislation regarding the clinical engineering exercise; (ii) visiting hospitals and working as trainee to understand how this exercise is implemented on Brazil’s Federal District; (iii) one of the authors participated in virtual discussion groups of clinical engineering professionals, monitoring collective understanding of regulations, checking consistency of proper knowledge, and acting as an active opinion leader in the subject among peers. Results We try to make a formal definition of clinical engineer and indicate their characteristic activities. We propose a synthesis of the regulation regarding healthcare products’ integrity protection and health technology management, identifying the engineering activities necessary to achieve those legal requirements. We analyze the legal constraints and conditions to exert engineering, indicating the necessary professionals’ attributions and the way to obtain them. Finally, we provide a brief analysis of the technical requirements presented by the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code and of the 15.943 Brazilian Standard (NBR). Discussion We conclude that, despite the lack of consensus about the Clinical Engineering activity, there exists in Brazil a Clinical Engineering regulation, but it is spread in complex laws and normative resolutions, defining compulsory responsibilities and attributions, as well as conditions and prerequisites for role performance.

O corte do fornecimento de água em face do inadimplemento do consumidor: análise à luz do Diálogo das Fontes

The article deals with the legality of water supply suspension when consumers’ payment does not occur. The analyzes is focused on different legislation, particularly in relation to the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code (Law 8.078 / 90) and the Law of Concession and Permission of Public Services (Law 8.987 / 95). A solution is proposed based on the dialogue of sources, with particular attention to the constitutional provision of human dignity protection.

A responsabilidade civil dos provedores de aplicação de internet por conteúdo gerado por terceiro antes e depois do Marco Civil da Internet (Lei n. 12.965/14)

Este artigo analisa o problema da interpretação das regras de responsabilização dos provedores (de conexão à internet, de aplicações de internet e de hosting), tendo em vista a exigência de notificação judicial para que se possa responsabilizar subsidiariamente os provedores nos termos do art. 19 da Lei n. 12.965/14 conhecido como Marco Civil da Internet. Tal exigência contraria a sólida jurisprudência do STJ sobre o tema que entendia bastar a notificação extrajudicial da vítima, e o sistema de responsabilização nas relações de consumo que impõe a responsabilidade objetiva. Desta forma, para que se mantenha a unidade do ordenamento jurídico brasileiro cabe aos operadores debaterem sobre o tema para chegar à melhor interpretação deste novel dispositivo. Em suma, as ponderações entre direitos e garantias fundamentais quando em conflitos, no caso o direito à liberdade de expressão versus proteção à intimidade, à privacidade, à honra e à imagem, devem estar em consonância com outros diplomas jurídicos.

The ways companies really answer consumer complaints

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to question whether companies follow a deliberate strategic internal pattern while responding to consumer complaints or they always offer consumers a fair redress.Design/methodology/approachA complaint sample from consumers addressed to the main Brazilian companies in four industries were examined. The responses directly provided to consumers were contrasted to those given after the mediation of Procon‐SP, the main Brazilian consumer protection agency. As an additional source of evidence a documentary research was conducted with other participants of the complaint process.FindingsResults showed that companies retain or postpone the solution of complaints in order to discourage complainants, but once they appeal to consumer protection agencies their demands are satisfied, even when companies do not fully agree with them. This seems to reveal a strategic intent on their part.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the sample examined was not probabilistic, the evidence generated by the data collection and also the documents examined confirmed the results, enhancing the findings.Practical implicationsGovernment and consumer protection organizations could use this information to envision new ways to perfect regulation in order to avoid a complaint increase.Originality/valueThe results call the attention to the ways companies respond to consumer complaints, suggesting they do have a strategic intent regarding the solutions provided that go beyond offering a fair redress, as is recommended by marketing models highlighting market orientation and consumer satisfaction.

Um Modelo Econômico para a Responsabilidade Civil na Defesa do Consumidor

This article analyzes the effects of legislation and judicial decisions on tort liability in consumption relations. In consumer protection, if there is a failure to enforce penalties on producers, manufacturers may neglect proper care in preventing defects in products and services provided to society. After reviewing the Brazilian consumer protection legislation and literature, this paper presents an economic model, which shows that higher effective punishments induce producers to choose higher levels of precaution in the production process; however, higher punishments also reduce overall production. The trade-off between punishment, precaution and growth is an important element that should be taken into consideration in designing consumer’s protection public policy.

Transgênicos e vulnerabilidade no direito do consumidor: o direito de ser informado

The Brazilian consumer protection is governed by the principle of vulnerability and adopt, among other mechanisms of equalization, the figure of hipossufiencia. Often confused, these concepts are distinct and deserve detailed analysis. They are today even more relevant if we take into account the advances in biotechnology. Thus, an important measure is ensure the right information to the consumer exposed to consumer relations involving genetically modified organisms.

Código de Defesa do Consumidor: o direito do cidadão alicerçado na informação

Destacar o Código de Defesa do Consumidor (CDC) sob o prisma de sua motivação informativa e conscientizadora, estabelecendo paralelos com o instituto da ouvidoria e dos demais organismos e instrumentos que cumprem relevante papel na consolidação dos direitos conquistados pelos cidadãos e no estabelecimento de novos parâmetros nas relações de consumo é o propósito do presente artigo.

E-contracts and consumer protection under Brazilian law

Electronic fraud related to online contracts is a threat to both consumers and e-businesses. This article addresses e-frauds under the perspective of the enforcement of consumer protection laws in Brazil. It reviews the principles of the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code and analyses the application of some consumer's rights in cyberspace. It analyses some domestic and international consumer electronic transaction cases and the effects of the inversion of the burden of proof in favour of consumers. It suggests that credit card holders should be required to issue a specific authorisation for use in cyberspace.

Relational Consumer Contracts: New Challenges for Brazilian Consumer Law

This article outlines the main features of relational contracts, and argues for their importance in modern service-oriented societies. It then examines the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code, suggesting that it opens up prospects for the legal acknowledgement of relational characteristics of contracts in general and of consumer contracts in particular. The article also examines the impact of the Code on private pension fund contracts and banking contracts. Finally, the article discusses the importance for consumers of the duty to inform in the context of market defects, and the extent to which the duty to inform is advanced in the Brazilian Code.

Relational Consumer Contracts: New Challenges for Brazilian Consumer Law

This article outlines the main features of relational contracts, and argues for their importance in modern service-oriented societies. It then examines the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code, suggesting that it opens up prospects for the legal acknowledgement of relational characteristics of contracts in general and of consumer contracts in particular. The article also examines the impact of the Code on private pension fund contracts and banking contracts. Finally, the article discusses the importance for consumers of the duty to inform in the context of market defects, and the extent to which the duty to inform is advanced in the Brazilian Code.

Globalization and Brazilian biosafety: the politics of scale over biotechnology governance

Abstract Monsanto’s request to commercialize its genetically-modified (GM) herbicide-resistant soybean technology in Brazil sparked heated debate and protest. This paper explores the conflict and illustrates how biosafety politics and policy outcomes are highly contested and situated, rather than controlled by external forces within the ever-expanding global economy. This paper argues that GM crops are not inherently artifacts of economic globalization and trade liberalization. What makes GM crops ‘global’ and part of a new iterative and uneven globalization process are the new and unanticipated sites of contradiction and contestation and the multi-scaled conflict over biotechnology governance. Political strategies taken by the state government in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazilian consumer protection activists, and Greenpeace exploit the new ‘nature’ of GM crops as a means to expand the debate, change the rules governing the genetic commons, and consequently, rescale biotechnology governance.