China Adds Teeth to Consumer Protection Law With New Powers for Advocacy Groups

China has moved to strengthen the power of consumer advocacy associations and address a growing number of disputes related to online purchasing, by enacting the country’s first set of administrative regulations designed to give teeth to its Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests (PCRI).

Beginning July 1, consumer associations can initiate public interest lawsuits against actions that affect a large number of people, according to the Regulations for the Implementation of the PCRI released last month.