INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON CONSUMERS AND MANUFACTURERS

Abstract

The global landscape for international consumer protection law has undergone a transformative shift, driven by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the expansion of cross-border e-commerce, and the 2025 adoption of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety. This paper reviews the evolving legal frameworks governing global trade, focusing on the implications for both consumers and manufacturers. For consumers, these laws have reinforced rights concerning digital transparency, data privacy, and cross-border redress. For manufacturers, the 2026 regulatory environment demands heightened accountability, with strict liability for AI-driven products and a mandate for sustainable life-cycle management. The paper adopts the doctrinal methodology and concludes that while international law provides a robust safety net for both consumers and manufacturers, for these laws to be truly effective, greater substantive harmonization is required to prevent regulatory havens where consumer rights are bypassed at the interest of the manufacturers and regulators who formulate policies.