The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has inaugurated a task force on sustainable consumption, which aimed at ensuring environmental-friendly consumption behaviour in the country.
Director-General/Chief Executive of FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the Sustainable Consumption Task Force (SCTF)
was born out from a decision reached by stakeholders during this year’s World Consumer Rights Day of 2020, which had its theme as ‘The Sustainable Consumer’.
The statement read: “On March 19, 2020, at the annual World Consumer Rights Day of 2020, in furtherance of the global theme for the year; “The Sustainable Consumer”; the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) promoted and proposed the adoption of certain Guiding Principles for Sustainable Consumption (Principles).
“Key stakeholders including the FCCPC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Federal Ministry of Environment (FMoE), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Industry represented by Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) adopted and committed to the principles.”
The FCCPC boss listed the agreed principles to include; encourage consumers to purchase recyclable products;
promote the development and use of international standards, with respect to patterns, practices, systems and progressively improve land and soil quality as well as promoting awareness on the benefit of environmental, social and economically sustainable consumption to preserve the environment.
According to Irukera, other guidelines adopted by the stakeholders also include promoting transparent labeling with respect to specific sustainable claims; deployment of appropriate technology to encourage environmentally friendly products and services to avoid waste, among others.
The FCCPC’s chief executive posited that the stakeholders’ resolve on the need for a Task Force to develop an enforceable framework from both the self regulatory and public regulation standpoints, prompted the inauguration of the SCTF on Tuesday.
“In furtherance of this resolution, on August 18, 2020, the Commission inaugurated the Sustainable Consumption Task Force (SCTF).
“At the inauguration, the Commission reiterated the importance and urgency of the objective and task before the Task Force.
“Members of the Task Force recognised and agreed that as policy makers, regulators, watchdogs and industry players; together, they are the ‘conscience of operation’ and owe a responsibility to the present and future generations.
“The Task Force realises that industry’s action in establishing the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and the creation of the SCTF are commendable initiatives.
“However, the work and impact of the Task Force is what will translate these commendable initiatives to credible efforts and meritorious outcomes,” the statement said.
