| dc.description.abstract | This study is premised on the assumption that efficient consumer protection IS
important for the full realization of the benefits of economic integration and more so
for the East African Community whose member states are developing countries.
Based on the foregoing assumption, the study seeks to examine the law as one of the
various factors that influence and determine the level of consumer protection both at
the national and community level. This obtains from the hypothesis that a unified,
harmonized and well developed consumer protection legal regime is one of the major
determinants of the full realization of the primary objective of economic integration
which is the improvement of welfare.
On that basis, the study proceeds to examine from the standpoint of the East African
consumer, the various treaties, protocols and other pieces of legislations both at the
national level of member states and at the East Africa Community level that relate to
consumer protection. The extent to which national and community laws have
safeguarded consumer interests in the integration process is investigated. For
comparative purposes, the study relies on experiences of European Union,
MERCOSUR and ASEAN, and explores ways in which advances made in such
regional blocs are useful to strengthening the East African legal framework.
The findings reveal that there is generally a fragmentary structure of laws in the
municipal laws of respective member states. At the community level, the efforts
towards consolidation of laws are influenced by policy to enhance regional trade and
investment rather than protect consumer interests. Therefore the incorporation of the
consumer protection mechanism into law is inadequate both at the municipal and
community levels.
The study makes specific recommendations to be effected In or within the legal
regime governing the East African Economic Integration with a view of having a
comprehensive consumer protection legal regime developed and entrenched in the
integration process. This will be necessary for the full realization of the benefits of
economic integration stated above. | en |
