Call for papers

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Topic: “40 years of United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection: Impacts and challenges”

  • Abstract submission deadline: 31 January 2025
  • Feedback: 24 February 2023
  • Guidelines: max. 300 words, 5-7 keywords
  • Dates: 23, 24 and 25 July 2025
  • Venue: Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (English and Spanish sessions) and Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas de la Universidad del Salvador (French sesion), in Buenos Aires- Argentina.

The 19th conference of the International Association of Consumer law will be organized around the theme of “40 years of United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection: Impacts and challenges”. We kindly invite participants from around the world to submit an abstract (max. 300 words, with a deadline of 31 January 2025) of a paper they would like to present during the conference. Abstracts and inquiries should be submitted to conferenciaiacl2025@derecho.uba.ar . Papers may be submitted in English, French or Spanish. Please note that no interpreters will be available for language translations.

The conference will run from 23to 25 July 2025.

It will be held at the Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (English and Spanish sessions) and Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas de la Universidad del Salvador (French sesion), in Buenos Aires- Argentina.

The goal of this conference is to provide a forum where leading international scholars, practitioners, representatives of consumer organizations, public authorities and business can gather together to present and discuss issues relevant to consumer protection in many sectors and from various perspectives. We welcome both theoretical and empirical submissions.

Conference organizers are hoping to offer a publication opportunity of selected papers in well-known journals. Furthermore, all papers will be published on the conference website. Nevertheless, all authors are free to publish their work in other venues as they choose.

TOPICS

We encourage presenters to focus on the overarching theme of the conference: “40 years of United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection: Impacts and challenges”

The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection play a critical role in promoting fair, transparent, and equitable treatment of consumers globally. These guidelines set international standards for protecting consumer rights, ensuring access to essential information, and safeguarding consumers from unfair practices, such as fraud, misleading advertising, and abusive contract terms. They serve as a framework for national policies, fostering harmonization across countries and enabling global cooperation on consumer protection issues. However, challenges remain, particularly in adapting these guidelines to emerging technologies, digital markets, and cross-border transactions, which require constant updating and robust enforcement mechanisms to address new risks.

Within the general theme, presenters might reflect on past successes (and failures) of consumer law and policy in a particular area of commerce, opportunities for moving consumer law in a different direction, or the potential threats to consumer welfare (particularly the impact of changes in the political landscape in some parts of the world). Papers focusing on consumer law in individual countries are welcome, as well as papers with an international focus.

Presentations on all topics related to consumer protection will be considered, including but not limited to:

  • Impact of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection - Their influence on national and international consumer law frameworks.
  • Need for Revision of the Guidelines - Adapting the guidelines to new technological, economic, and environmental challenges.
  • Role of International Organizations in Consumer Law. Cross-Border Consumer Protection
  • Definition of Consumer Law –
  • History and Evolution of Consumer Law
  • Future Developments of Consumer Law
  • Consumer Law & Theory
  • Comparative Consumer Law
  • International Dimensions of Consumer Law
  • Changing Political Climate
  • Fair Business Practices
  • Consumer Law & Compliance
  • Consumer Rights and Education. Including clinical education and practical training in consumer law.
  • Product Safety and Quality
  • Sustainability and Consumer Law (sustainable consumption, circular economy, and green practices, green claims, ecological transition, 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Production)
  • Digital Transition
  • Emerging Technologies – Consumer law challenges related to new technologies, internet, and “smart” contracts, AI, etc.
  • Financial Services – Consumer protection in financial markets, credit, insurance, and investment products.
  • New financial services: Fintech- Cryptocurrencies
  • Consumers and the Digital World – Including issues related to e-commerce and digital platforms, influencers, metaverse, sharing economy.
  • Consumers & Data Protection – Privacy, data profiling, and scoring, as well as cybersecurity.
  • Overindebtedness. Bankruptcy.
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Tourism & Travel – Consumer rights in global tourism and travel industries.
  • Health Care – Protection of consumers in healthcare markets, including access and safety.
  • Procedural Consumer Law – Enforcement, access to justice, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
  • Public Services – Consumer protection in essential services such as utilities, water, and energy. Real Estate Contracts – Consumer rights in real estate transactions and housing agreements.
  • Redress Mechanisms – Ensuring consumers have access to efficient dispute resolution processes.
  • Consumer Participation in Decision-Making – Involvement of consumers in shaping relevant policies.
  • Consumer protection and Competition Policy – Promoting fair competition to protect consumer interests.
  • Legal and Institutional Frameworks – Development of systems to support the enforcement of consumer laws.
  • Gender and Consumer Law – Addressing gender-specific issues in consumer protection.
  • Consumer protection and Human Rights. Access to Essential goods and services
  • Product safety. Product Labelling, Technical Standards – Developing international product standards for safety and quality.
  • Dialogue with Other Disciplines – Interactions with law & economics, sociology, psychology, philosophy, behavioral sciences, and other fields for a comprehensive view of consumer law.
  • Public Policies. Public and Private Enforcement. Mechanisms for enforcing consumer rights through governmental and private initiatives.
  • Role of Consumer Associations and Civil Society in Consumer Protection – Advocating for consumer rights, raising awareness, and providing support.

ABSTRACTS

All abstracts will be reviewed by the organizers of the conference. Participants will be notified of the organizers’ decisions as soon as possible. Timely notification and letters of invitation should allow participants to make transportation arrangements and apply for visas, if necessary.

The abstract must contain the following information about the candidate: title, surname, affiliated institution, position held at institution, and a current e-mail address. This information does not form part of the word count for the abstract. Candidates are requested to proofread their abstracts to ensure that the language and style is of high quality. All presentations at the conference will be in English, French or Spanish and no provision will be made for translating.

FURTHER DETAILS

The conference will include plenary sessions. Most papers, however, will be presented during concurrent workshop sessions following plenary sessions, with the presentation time being limited to 15-20 minutes. After each concurrent workshop session there will be a few minutes for a brief discussion.

Accommodation arrangements are the responsibility of the participants and must be made directly with the hotels. Please visit the conference website for more information on hotels near the Conference venue.

Please note that all participants, whether presenting a paper or not, are expected to timely register according to the registration policy as set forth on the conference website, which involves payment of a registration fee.

Registration for the 19th IACL Conference is now open. Participants are invited to attend all days of the conference and the social program.

  • 31 January 2025 Deadline for submission of Abstracts
  • 24 February 2053 Feedback
  • 7 March 2025 Last Day of Early Bird
  • 23 July 2025 Conference Day One, Evening: Conference Dinner
  • 24 July 2025 Conference Day Two, Evening: Social Program
  • 25 July 2025 Conference Day Three