The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) are a valuable set of principles for setting out the main characteristics of effective consumer protection legislation, enforcement institutions and redress systems. The guidelines were first adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 39/248 of 16 April 1985, later expanded by the Economic and Social Council in resolution E/1999/INF/2/Add.2 of 26 July 1999, and revised by the General Assembly in resolution 70/186 of 22 December 2015. General principles The legitimate needs which the guidelines are intended to meet are the following: Access by consumers to essential goods and services; The protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers; The protection of consumers from hazards to their health and safety; The promotion and protection of the economic interests of consumers; Access by consumers to adequate information to enable them to make informed choices according to individual wishes and needs; Consumer education, including education on the environmental, social and economic consequences of consumer choice; Availability of effective consumer dispute resolution and redress; Freedom to form consumer and other relevant groups or organizations and the opportunity of such organizations to present their views in decision-making processes affecting them; The promotion of sustainable consumption patterns; A level of protection for consumers using electronic commerce that is not less than that afforded in other forms of commerce; The protection of consumer privacy and the global free flow of information. Principles for good business practices The principles that establish benchmarks for good business practices for conducting online and offline commercial activities with consumers are as follows: Fair and equitable treatment. Businesses should deal fairly and honestly with consumers at all stages of their relationship, so that it is an integral part of the business culture. Businesses should avoid practices that harm consumers, particularly with respect to vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers; Commercial behaviour. Businesses should not subject consumers to illegal, unethical, discriminatory or deceptive practices, such as abusive marketing tactics, abusive debt collection or other improper behaviour that may pose unnecessary risks or harm consumers. Businesses and their authorized agents should have due regard for the interests of consumers and responsibility for upholding consumer protection as an objective; Disclosure and transparency. Businesses should provide complete, accurate and not misleading information regarding the goods and services, terms, conditions, applicable fees and final costs to enable consumers to take informed decisions. Businesses should ensure easy access to this information, especially to the key terms and conditions, regardless of the means of technology used; Education and awareness-raising. Businesses should, as appropriate, develop programmes and mechanisms to assist consumers to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand risks, including financial risks, to take informed decisions and to access competent and professional advice and assistance, preferably from an independent third party, when needed; Protection of privacy. Businesses should protect consumers privacy through a combination of appropriate control, security, transparency and consent mechanisms relating to the collection and use of their personal data; Consumer complaints and disputes. Businesses should make available complaints-handling mechanisms that provide consumers with expeditious, fair, transparent, inexpensive, accessible, speedy and effective dispute resolution without unnecessary cost or burden. Businesses should consider subscribing to domestic and international standards pertaining to internal complaints handling, alternative dispute resolution services and customer satisfaction codes. Scope of Guidelines for governments The guidelines addressed to governments cover the following. National policies for consumer protection Physical safety Promotion and protection of the economic interests of consumers Standards for the safety and quality of consumer goods and services Distribution facilities for essential consumer goods and services Dispute resolution and redress Education and information programmes Promotion of sustainable consumption Electronic commerce Financial services Measures relating to specific areas United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP)