In its role as National Authority for Consumer Protection, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) of Colombia has actively participated in various multilateral cooperation scenarios, including ICPEN.

The International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) is a membership organization consisting of consumer protection law enforcement authorities from across the globe. Colombia has been a member of ICPEN since October 2013, and during the Canadian Presidency of the Network (2020-2021), the SIC had led the Working Group Enforcement During Covid-19. 

This working group aims to address some of the most pressing issues that consumer protection authorities face during this time. These issues include common consumer harms, such as misleading treatment claims and unfair or deceptive practices related to travel and events, as well as the challenges that enforcement agencies face when working from home. 

Regarding this last challenge that faces consumer protection authorities, the Working Group  lead by the SIC and the Federal Trade Comissión (USA) hosted a webinar called “Working From Home Webinar: Conducting Market Surveillance And Investigations In A Virtual World.”

The webinar had two substantive speakers who discussed their experiences conducting market surveillance, gathering evidence (including electronic, documentary, and physical), and communication with externals, including consumers or businesses.

The Competition and Consumer Protection of Zambia and the Authority for Consumers and Markets of The Netherlands were the two Authorities that share their experience with more than 60 participants from over 15 countries: including Chile, Canada, Zambia, Philippines, Lithuania, Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, Barbados, Australia, Morocco, Ireland, Panama, Peru, Kenya, US, Colombia, and others.