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An Assessment of Consumer Protection and Consumer Empowerment in Costa Rica

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Abstract

The present exploratory study aims to describe and assess Costa Rica’s regime for protecting and empowering consumers. As the general framework, this study used research conducted in the USA, in Europe—specifically studies conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) partners—and studies sponsored by the European Union (EU) in Central America. This paper, however, is not intended to provide an exhaustive analysis or to answer all questions and issues related to consumer protection in Costa Rica; rather, it is to identify the main components of the consumer protection framework, its strategies, consumer redress mechanisms, remedies, and consumer protection challenges faced by the country. The last section outlines a conclusion and presents recommendations for improvement.

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Notes

  1. It is interesting to observe that the Costa Rica Constitution forbids private monopolies or any monopolistic acts. Nevertheless, it grants the right to establish new monopolies in favor of the state or municipal governments, if approved by two thirds of all members of the Legislative Assembly.

  2. It is noteworthy that Costa Rica as a country has a social market economy and its national budget allocation reflects this paradigm. For example, Costa Rica ranks education as a top social priority. The Ministry of Education received a budget equivalent to 28.1 % of the national budget, followed by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (6.9 %), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (5.4 %), Ministry of Health (2.7), and Ministry of Public Security (2.5 %).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Utah State University, 2905 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-2905, USA

    Lucy M. Delgadillo

Authors
  1. Lucy M. Delgadillo
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Correspondence to Lucy M. Delgadillo.

Appendices

Appendix

Table 3 Economic and demographic indicators of Costa Rica
Full size table

An assessment of Consumer Protection Policies in Costa Rica Questionnaire

Interviewee Name and Affiliation: ________________________________________

What does the institution do?

  1. I.

    Philosophy and consumerist movement in Costa Rica (CR)

    • What do you think is the vision of CR in terms of consumer protection?

    • What are the public and private mechanisms for consumer protection?

    • In your opinion, would you say that CR follows an interventional, non-interventionist, or mixed model for consumer protection?

    • To whom are most of the policies addressed? To the average consumer? To the vulnerable consumer?

  2. II.

    Questions regarding the institutional framework:

    • What do you think is the degree of trust in contract law in the country?

    • In your opinion, does CR have a comprehensive consumer law or are there serious biases and fragmented efforts?

    • Are there any compensatory mechanisms that exist for a consumer? (e.g., filing a complaint for possible damages compensation.) Are these compensatory tools only for the individual or for a group of individuals?

    • How active are Costa Ricans as consumers? Why? How did they reach that level of activity?

  3. III.

    Efforts to enforce current legislation:

    • What kinds of actions are taken against companies that violate the rights of consumers? Who takes those actions?

    • Do people utilize the courts to seek compensation?

    • What are private initiatives for consumer protection, if any? [e.g., incentives such as licensing, good reputation] Is mediation and arbitration used?

  4. IV.

    Educational efforts:

    • What are the educational efforts by the government? Have they been evaluated?

Thanks for your time. Can you suggest someone else to interview?

List of Interviewees cited in paper:

  • Cynthia Zapata, Executive Director of the National Consumer Commission. Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce

  • Erick Ulate, president of CONCORI [Consumers of Costa Rica]

  • Juan Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director from Free Consumers of Costa Rica.

  • Juan Marcos Rivera, Attorney.

  • Additional Interviewees not cited in paper: Harold Hutt, Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce

  • Kattia Chaves Matarrita, Consumer's National Commission Technical Department

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Delgadillo, L.M. An Assessment of Consumer Protection and Consumer Empowerment in Costa Rica. J Consum Policy 36, 59–86 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-012-9206-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-012-9206-9

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