FTC Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson Elected Chair of the OECD's Committee on Consumer Policy

Federal Trade Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson was elected Chair of the OECD's Committee on Consumer Policy at today's commencement of the Committee's spring meeting in Paris. The Committee on Consumer Policy is comprised of officials representing 30 countries and is the only international government forum whose mission is to consider consumer issues.

Commissioner Thompson continues to serve as head of the US delegation to the CCP, a position he has held since 1998. During that time he was also one of the Committee's vice chairs. "I have always been honored to represent the United States before this important international body, and feel especially privileged that my colleagues from around the world have asked me to lead them into the future," Thompson said. "In today's economic climate, more and more people recognize that consumer confidence is key to economic growth. The Committee plays a unique role in fostering that confidence by focusing international attention on issues that affect consumers."

"International consumer protection issues are critically important and constitute a growing area of emphasis," commented FTC Chairman Timothy J. Muris. "I am pleased that the OECD has elected my colleague Commissioner Thompson to chair the Committee on Consumer Policy and know that he will provide direction and leadership to the Committee."

During his tenure on the Committee, Commissioner Thompson was one of the key negotiators and drafters of the December 1999 OECD Guidelines on Consumer Protection in e-Commerce. The Guidelines are now being implemented around the world. In addition, the Committee continues to do significant work in the areas of alternative dispute resolution for e-commerce transactions, protections for payment cardholders, and cross-border cooperation in combating fraud and deception on the Internet.

Commissioner Thompson was appointed to the Federal Trade Commission by President Clinton in December 1997. He previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Treasury. Commissioner Thompson has also been an Irvine Foundation Visiting Scholar at Stanford Law School, and on the faculties of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Fordham University School of Law.