The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) strengthened cooperation in the field of consumer protection through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU is being signed in Tbilisi, Georgia, by the Chairman of the GCCA, Prof Irakli Lekvinadze, and the Acting Commissioner of the NCC, Mr Hardin Ratshisusu.
The agreement provides a framework for enhanced cooperation between the two institutions, with a particular focus on the exchange of expertise, information and best practices in consumer protection.
The areas of cooperation include the exchange of information on legislative and regulatory developments, as well as best practices and operational experience relating to investigations, inspections, enforcement and compliance monitoring.
The two institutions will also cooperate through workshops, seminars, conferences, technical meetings and training programmes. The partnership will see both entities exchange Staff and conduct study visits to support capacity building and knowledge-sharing. The MoU further provides for cooperation on consumer awareness and education programmes, as well as the exchange of research, publications, reports, guidelines and educational materials.
The MoU provides an opportunity for both regulators to consult on emerging consumer protection issues, including electronic commerce and cross-border trade. On the margins of the signing, the parties are holding discussions on the effective implementation of consumer protection policies, the challenges currently faced in this area, developments in regulatory frameworks and the strengthening of enforcement mechanisms. The discussions are also identifying priority areas for future cooperation between the two institutions.
The signing ceremony took place in the context of the High-Level International Conference on Consumer Protection (ICPEN). The conference brings together close to 100 (one hundred) delegates from 55 (fifty-five) countries, to discuss consumer protection matters and strengthen international cooperation. ICPEN brings together consumer protection authorities from across the globe to strengthen cross-border cooperation and support the effective protection of consumer interests at the international level. The GCCA is the lead agency of ICPEN for the 2026 – 2027 period.
The NCC believes that this partnership came at the right time as more consumers are complaining about online transactions. Speaking during the signing ceremony, the NCC’s Acting Commissioner, Mr Hardin Ratshisusu said: “Markets have become interconnected, commerce is rapidly moving online, and the products and services our consumers rely on daily often originate far beyond the reach of any single regulator. This MoU is timely and will enable the NCC to share best practices in investigations and advocacy as the issues we confront are similar.”
“It is a great pleasure to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the National Consumer Commission of South Africa. This agreement marks an important step in strengthening cooperation between our institutions and creating new opportunities for the exchange of experience, information and best practices in consumer protection. I am confident that this partnership will contribute to more effective cooperation in addressing consumer protection challenges and strengthening our enforcement efforts”, stated Prof Lekvinadze, Chairman of the GCCA.
The NCC continues to strengthen international cooperation with consumer protection authorities to promote knowledge-sharing, capacity building and effective consumer protection.
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