Brazil signs consumer rights deal with Argentina

Brazil’s Justice and Public Security Minister Sérgio Moro and Argentine Production and Labor Minister Dante Sica signed in Buenos Aires on Thursday (May 30) a cooperation deal on consumer protection in the two countries. The agreement includes sharing the technology from the platform consumidor.gov.br, developed by Senacon, linked to the Brazilian Justice Ministry.

After the deal is signed, the technology from the Brazilian platform will be sent to the Argentina’s national agency for consumer protection (Dirección Nacional de Defensa del Consumidor de Argentina). The move bolsters international cooperation in public policies, the enhancement of actions for the enforcement of consumer rights, and good practices.

“Consumerist relations are a big source of lawsuits in several countries. In Brazil, the platform consumidor.gov.br represents the necessary stride for quick and efficient conflict solutions. Now, we are sharing this technology with the Argentine government so that they can also redirect energy and time spent in traditional ways, as this tool is offers dynamic replies,” Moro said.

Platform

Consumor.gov.be is an online public conflict resolution service for consumers and makes the connection between consumers and companies. Complaints filed total over 1.8 million, with 1.3 million users and 500 companies registered. Today, 80 percent of complaints on the platform are solved and the average wait time for a reply from companies to customers is seven days.

The tool helps devise and implement public policies in consumer rights, as the information makes up a public data base for on both firms and problems. The initiative also boosts market competitiveness and the quality of products, services, and support.

Latin America

The agreement also includes future plans to address demands from countries in Latin American and other regions seeking to deepen cooperation efforts with Brazil to avail themselves of the platform.

“The proposal strengthens the ties between the government consumer protection agencies in the countries. This will enable us to develop joint initiatives to enhance consumer protection efforts,” said National Consumer Secretary Luciano Timm.

The platform is monitored by a number of Brazilian agencies, such as Senacon, consumer protection institutes, prosecutors, and watchdogs.