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INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND CONSUMERS


“Where we have an alignment of interests it is to everyone’s benefi t to collaborate, it can be really impactful. We’re happy to make


the case with others.” Sue Davis, Which?


the bottom.” Collaboration across a range of


organizations apart from BSI is important to Which?, broadening the platform for consumer representation in trade discussions. “We’ve been able to work collaboratively with business interest groups and it’s really pleasing how engaged they are when we share consumers’ views on trade issues with them,” said Jane. “We also talk to other groups about consumers and trade policy, such as NGOs, charities and academics. On some things we are the sole voice but where we have an alignment of interests it is to everyone’s benefi t to collaborate, it can be really


impactful. We’re happy to make the case with others.”


Sue added, “We’ve seen in the past in trade negotiations that failure to take account of consumer interests early enough can have a real impact; the EU/US trade negotiations fell apart over the issue of food standards, which was not given enough prominence.” Maintaining high food standards for all is something Sue and Jane are passionate about, not least because they are concerned about a two tier system of standards for food being created; “That was something that came through very strongly in our public dialogues talking to people about trade deals,” said Jane. “Nobody wanted a two-tier


system in which those only able to afford a lower price had their choice to buy good quality food taken away.” Another area where there is concern about


lowering standards is data protection; “We have seen trade deals that promote a self- regulatory approach or rely on international guidelines, none of which live up to the UK’s general data protection regulations (GDPR), and this could be damaging for UK consumers,” Sue pointed out.


She added: “Responsible businesses want the consumer to have trust in their products and services. They rely on consumer confi dence and so it’s in everyone’s interests to have consumer protections in place.”


THE NATIONAL TRADE CONVERSATION


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