ASEAN AUSTRALIA DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION PROGRAM (AADCP) PHASE II TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ASEAN HIGH-LEVEL PRINCIPLES ON CONSUMER PROTECTION

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1 ASEAN AUSTRALIA DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION PROGRAM (AADCP) PHASE II TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ASEAN HIGH-LEVEL PRINCIPLES ON CONSUMER PROTECTION The ASEAN Secretariat and the Australian Government, through AADCP II, invite applications from consultants for the above-referenced project. I. Background Consumer protection is seen as an integral part of a modern, effective and fair market place under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint Noting that globalisation is leading to a wider variety of products and technological revolutions and transforming the traditional ways of conducting business in the market place, governments need to find innovative means to protect and promote the interest of the consumers without erecting unnecessary barriers to the exchange of goods and services. This will require comprehensive and well-functioning regional and national consumer protection mechanisms characterised by the presence of sufficient and implementable legislation, operative complaints and redress systems, strong consumer protection institutions with capable staff and effective consumer awareness programs. The AEC Blueprint 2025 outlines a number of strategic measures to advance consumers well-being including fostering consumer empowerment through the creation and protection of knowledge; ensuring comprehensive and well-functioning national and regional consumer protection systems; and strengthening related regulatory frameworks. These measures are further detailed under the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for Consumer Protection (ASAPCP) The ASAPCP 2025 sets out four goals and the various initiatives under these goals which will be implemented by the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP). The four strategic goals are: I. A Common ASEAN Consumer Protection Framework is Established; II. A High Common Level of Consumer Empowerment and Protection is Ensured; III. High Consumer Confidence in the AEC and Cross-border Commercial Transactions is Instituted; and IV. Consumer Concerns in all ASEAN Policies are Integrated. ASEAN Member States (AMS) are working towards the successful achievement of these goals. In particular, Strategic Goal 1 on the establishment of the ASEAN Consumer Protection Framework envisages an evolutionary approach towards effective consumer protection regimes for ASEAN. The approach begins with the Page 1 of 9

2 development of a set of High-Level Principles (HLP) on consumer protection that are adaptable to changes in the AEC, and which forms the basis for the modernisation of consumer protection legislation in ASEAN that will strengthen the enforcement capacities of consumer agencies. In addition, the setting up of a knowledge management system as well as making available alternative dispute resolution mechanisms will make up the components of this Common Framework.This project will set-out the main characteristics for more effective consumer protection legislation, stronger enforcement institutions, enhanced regional cooperation and availability of redress mechanisms. These Principles are expected to facilitate AMS in benchmarking against international best practices vis-à-vis existing provisions and assist them in the modernisation of consumer protection legislation. The ASEAN High-Level Principles could be based on: the first draft of the ASEAN High-Level Principles and taking into account the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection 2015 (UNGCP), the 2016 Consumer Protection in E- commerce: OECD Recommendations and the G20 High-Level Principles on Financial Consumer Protection. The General Principles of the UNGCP states that : Member States should develop, strengthen or maintain a strong consumer protection policy, taking into account the guidelines set out below and relevant international agreements. In so doing, each Member State must set its own priorities for the protection of consumers in accordance with the economic, social and environmental circumstances of the country and the needs of its population, and bearing in mind the costs and benefits of proposed measures. The set of ASEAN High-Level Principles should thus lay out the important components of the consumer protection regimes of ASEAN and highlight the priorities towards a common ASEAN Framework. II. Needs and Objectives This project aims to finalise a set of High-Level Principles on Consumer Protection. The High-Level Principles will set benchmarks on important elements of consumer protection that could be progressively incorporated in AMS laws and regulations. Each Principle should be elaborated with a description of the rationale behind each principle, the actions that could be taken to give effect to these principles and the intended benefit and impact. Whereas these Principles should be in-line with existing international guidelines, these should be elaborated to reflect the ASEAN context and circumstances and prioritized based on relevance and needs. As the Principles will also be used as a Guide towards the drafting of a Self- Assessment Toolkit on consumer protection regimes, it should be coherent, sequential and actionable but tailored to the ASEAN context. Future peer reviews will also make reference to this Principles document as basis for further evaluation and assessment. Such standards and principles would set out general expectations and offer a degree of flexibility in implementation. They can be supplemented by rules and guidelines that would give more detailed requirements to allow an objective assessment of whether the principles are being met. Principles should be meaningful, measurable and fair to both consumers and business. They should lead Page 2 of 9

3 to the empowerment of consumers to make informed and responsible decisions and help governments to conceptualise and plan a strong consumer protection regime that provide the basic tenets for the delivery of safe and quality products and services as well as redress mechanisms to safeguard consumer interests. III. Outputs The project will produce the ASEAN High-Level Principles for Consumer Protection, which will contain: A brief analysis (maximum 15 pages) of relevant trends and development in ASEAN with regard to consumer protection, as well as common gaps and opportunities. This analysis should complement those already described in the ASAPCP 2025, the existing draft High Level Principles, and other ASEAN publications/ documents; A set High-Level Principles o aptly prioritised to allow for gradual adaptation of Member States; o containing definitions and clarifications to provide clarity on how each principle could be operationalised and implemented; Indicators to assess achievement of each principle, providing AMS with a simple and straight-forward method to assess their progress The Structure of the Document should be as follows: Preamble (listing the background to the development of the Principles, the ASAPCP 2025, the different work on consumer protection principles done so far at the international level); Recent trends and developments in ASEAN on consumer protection Principles (reasoning, rationale, required actions) Indicators for each Principle; and Recommendations on how the Principles can be further utilised and implemented (self-assessment, peer reviews, priority implementation). In addition, the other outputs are: i) Project Inception Report ii) Consultation/Validation Workshop Report iii) Project Completion Report Page 3 of 9

4 IV. Tasks/Activities The following activities will need to be undertaken to achieve the outputs presented above. The bidder should provide details on its approach to each activity in its bid and is free to recommend additional activities. Output Activity Person working days 1 Inception Report Preparation of Inception Report including: development of the over-all approach for the delivery of the expected outputs proposed structure and format of the report on High Level Principles Completion Date 1 day 2 weeks after signing of SSA (Week 3) Person(s) responsible Consultant with inputs from ASEC and AADCP II Circulation and revision of the Inception Report based on feedback, if any Approval of Output 1: Inception Report by ACCP/ASEC (2 working weeks) 2 Analysis of Consumer Protection Trends and Developments in ASEAN 4 Revised Draft High Level Principles Drafting of the report including: desk review of existing materials analysis of relevant trends and development in ASEAN with regard to consumer protection, as well as common gaps and opportunities submission and circulation of the report Circulation and revision of the Report based on feedback, if any Revision of the existing draft High-level Principles and indicators and incorporating the findings from the brief analysis Circulation of the draft principles and presentation in a multi-stakeholder 3 days Week 5 Consultant Week 6 Consultant 6 days Week 7 Consultant Week 8 Consultant, ACCP, ASEC Page 4 of 9

5 validation/consultation workshop Preparation and submission of the Week 9 Consultant Validation Workshop Report Further revision of the High-level Principles and indicators based on feedback received Week 10 Consultant Approval of Outputs 2, 3 and 4: Analysis of Consumer Protection Trends, Workshop Report and Revised Draft High Level Principles by ACCP/ASEC (2 working weeks) 5 Final Draft High Final revision/finalisation of the High-level 4 days Week 12 Consultant Level Principles Principles and indicators Presentation to ACCP, as needed Week 13 Consultants 6 Project Completion Report Preparation and submission of the Project Completion Report 1 day Week 14 Consultant with inputs from ASEC and AADCP II Approval of Outputs 5 and 6: Final High-level Principles and Indicators and Project Completion Report by the ACCP/ASEC (2 working weeks) Page 5 of 9

6 V. Reporting The consultant is expected to produce reports in accordance with Section III and IV above. The timing of delivery is indicative and can be adjusted when the consultant s work plan is developed, subject to mutual agreement. No. Reports Target Delivery Date 1 Inception Report This would detail the consultant s approach to the project and provide a detailed work plan. 2 Consultation/Validation Workshop Report In line with the various outputs, which would be presented in a validation, a corresponding workshop report would be prepared. 3 Project Completion Report The Project Completion Report will establish a record of the project achievements against the project s original intended purpose and outputs. It is intended to assist in assessing impact, draw out conclusions and lessons learned that may be valuable in designing new related initiatives. 2 weeks after contract signing 2 weeks after the conduct of the workshop 1 week after delivery of all outputs All reports will be submitted based on AADCP II Guidelines for Contractors in draft format to the ASEAN Secretariat, Competition, Consumer Protection and IPR Division (with a copy to AADCP II) and, following ASEC approval, in final form. All outputs and reports must be suitable for publication, although the decision on publication lies with the ASEAN. The contractor will also provide regular (weekly, bi-monthly or as agreed with ASEC) summation of activities undertaken and issues that have arisen. These will be submitted to Competition, Consumer Protection and IPR Division (CCPID) and AADCP II via . Financial reports will be submitted at invoicing in line with a payment schedule to be specified in the Special Services Agreement (SSA). VI. Project Management The project will be funded by the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program II and managed by the Competition, Consumer Protection and IPR Division of the ASEAN Secretariat. The consultant should be responsible for organising and conducting the scheduled activities in collaboration with the host countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. Page 6 of 9

7 VII. Scope of Services The consultancy will be undertaken over a continuous effective period of four (4) calendar months with approximately 15 person days of professional services. Work will commence immediately after contract signing. VIII. Qualifications In its proposal the bidder should possess the following qualifications or demonstrate experience in: Postgraduate in Economics, Sociology, Law, Development Studies, Public Administration, or any related field; Previous experience working with a consumer protection agency, preferably in a developing-country context or environment; In-depth knowledge of consumer protection policies, legislation and programs, especially within ASEAN; Previous involvement in the design and delivery of strategic action plans, consumer protection policy and law; Familiarity with consumer rights, enforcement of consumer laws, and consumer demands for safe and sustainable consumption practices as well as current and emerging consumer concerns and related issues; Experienced in policy making and providing policy advice to governments and having considerable exposure and network with consumer protection agencies; Understanding of ASEAN and its work on economic community building; Proven experience in dealing with senior government officials, parliamentarians and other identified stakeholders; and Proven skills in writing and conversing in English. A thorough understanding of ASEAN, ASEC and AADCP II procedures will be considered added value. Page 7 of 9

8 IX. Bidding Interested consulting firms are invited to submit a proposal in response to these Terms of Reference. This proposal should be in two parts: Technical and Financial components. The Technical component should present the following information: A brief discussion indicating the bidder s understanding of the needs of the project; A brief analysis of key issues; A methodological discussion of how the bidder proposes to address those needs including assessment of key issues, analytical strategies that will underlie the project, specific techniques to be utilised, and practical discussion of possible limitations in carrying out the project; A detailed work plan that specifies activities to be undertaken, expected outputs and deliverables, resources to be utilised and timing; Staffing and management plan; A discussion on how measures to ensure the future sustainability of the outcomes of the project will be addressed; CVs of all proposed experts; Brief discussion of firm s past experience in undertaking similar work and brief summaries of all projects undertaken. The Financial component should specify professional fees of experts. Other costs for experts and participants such as reimbursable expenses for airfare, other travel costs and daily subsistence allowance for workshops, meetings, and all other agreed activities will be discussed with the preferred contractor during the finalisation of the scope of services. Costs will be based on prevailing ASEC rates. X. Submission of Application Applicants should send via tender@aadcp2.org and mail/courier 4 (four) printed copies of their application with a cover letter, materials specified in Section IX above and other supporting documents to ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program II, ASEAN Secretariat 2nd Floor, Jl. Sisingamangaraja 70A, Jakarta 12110, Indonesia, indicating ASEAN High Level Principles on Consumer Protection as the subject no later than February 17, 2017, 5:00pm (Jakarta time). Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), please visit Any queries on the TOR should be sent to contact@aadcp2.org with the subject line: Query ASEAN High Level Principles on Consumer Protection. Page 8 of 9

9 IX. Additional Notes on Terms and Conditions of the Project 1. Any future studies/reports/analysis in any form of intellectual property rights (including but not limited to patents, copyright and any related rights) submitted by the Contractor to ASEAN arising out of or in connection to the services performed by the Consultant to ASEAN shall belong to ASEC under the name of ASEAN only; Successful bidder shall agree to be bound and sign the Special Services Agreement (SSA) with all requirements under the terms and conditions provided therein, including but not limited to the AADCP II Guidelines for the Contractors attached to the SSA. 2. As an intergovernmental organisation, ASEAN shall not be responsible for any tax(es), levy, tax claim or any tax liability which may be imposed by any law in relation to any amount payable by the ASEAN Secretariat. Page 9 of 9