13. 第 13 章

III. China’s Consumer Protection Law

1. The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests (hereinafter referred to as the "Consumer Protection Law" or "CPL") was adopted on October 31, 1993, and took effect on January 1, 1994.

2. On August 27, 2009, the Standing Committee of the Eleventh National People's Congress amended the law, which took effect on the same date.

3. On October 25, 2013, the Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People's Congress conducted a major revision. The revised law took effect on March 15, 2014.

4. The Supreme People's Court's Interpretation (I) on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Online Consumption Dispute Cases was adopted on February 15, 2022, at the 1864th meeting of the Judicial Committee of the Supreme People's Court, promulgated, and took effect on March 15, 2022.

Conclusion

As a crucial law for maintaining market order, the Consumer Protection Law holds an umbrella over every consumer, becoming their "secret weapon." Only by studying this law well and wielding this weapon effectively can we protect our own rights in consumption activities and remain invincible in consumer disputes.

The Spark of the Consumer Movement was ignited by the Consumers Union (CU) founded in the United States in 1936. The catalyst for its founding was the stock market crash of 1929, which triggered an economic crisis sweeping across America. Facing this crisis, consumers spontaneously organized activities demanding cheaper, safer, and better-quality goods. After its establishment, the Union launched its own publication, Consumers’ Research Bulletin (later Consumer Reports), advocating for impartial product testing and providing information to the public. It garnered immense support from consumers and exerted a profound influence. Although the outbreak of World War II forced the Consumers Union to suspend its activities, it undoubtedly had a significant impact on post-war consumer movements worldwide.

After World War II, the U.S. economy grew at an astonishing rate. Concomitantly, severe environmental damage, industrial accidents, harm caused by defective products, and road traffic accidents posed enormous threats to consumers' personal safety and property. Against this backdrop, an adversarial consumer movement emerged. Led by Ralph Nader, consumer organizations