248 WINE LAW mentioned the four fundamental consumer rights: i) the right to safety; ii) the right to be informed; iii) the right to choose; and iv) the right to be heard2. Based on this speech, many countries began to create consumer protection standards and institutional structures in international and national contexts. Accordingly, general ideas related to consumer protection engagements in a broad scope as well as specific to wine consumer protection will be presented on this article. II.1. UN Consumer Protection Guidelines The first important international reference linked to consumer protection to be mentioned is the United Nations Consumer Protection Guidelines, UN General Assembly Resolution 70/186, of 22 December 20153. These guidelines were launched by another UN General Assembly Resolution of 16 April 19854, expanded by the Economic and Social Council through Resolution 1999/7 of 26 July 19995 and updated on the first indicated UN General Assembly Resolution. Moreover, Resolution 70/186 indicates broad ideas on consumer protection based on three contents: i) principles for good business practices; ii) guidelines; and iii) measures relating to specific areas. In this part, the focus will be on the issues relating to wine consumer only. On the principles for good business practices, six aspects are established to improve the relationship between consumers and suppliers: i) fair and equitable treatment; ii) commercial behaviour; iii) disclosure and transparency; iv) education and awareness-raising; v) protection of privacy; and vi) consumer complaints and disputes. Actions such as unfair, illegal, discriminatory, deceptive, dishonest or misleading behaviours must be avoided by the supplier when dealing with consumers, having the former the objective of providing due information to allow the latter to make better consumer decisions. After the principles, the guidelines are divided into two groups, the first one being the broad guidelines directed to all kinds of consumer relations, and the second group involving specific areas. As foodstuffs are one of the mentioned areas, it is possible to use these guidelines as a reference to beverages and wine specifically. 2 Available on: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKPOF/037/JFKPOF-037-028 (accessed on 15 August 2020). 3 A/RES/70/186. Available on: https://unctad.org/meetings/en/SessionalDocuments/ares70d186_en.p df (accessed on 15 August 2020). 4 A/RES/39/248. Available on: https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/39/248 (access on 15 August 2020). 5 Available on: https://www.un.org/esa/documents/ecosoc/res/1999/eres1999-7.htm (access on 15 August 2020).
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