Collective intelligence A workshop aimed at enforcers and regulators from around the world was hosted by the Competition and Markets Authority as part of its presidency of the International CWonsumer Protection Enforcement Network. Nisha Arora explains hether the trader you are investigating is across the Channel, the Atlantic or as far away as Kenya or Zambia, members of the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) can help you. ICPEN brings together agencies from around the world to promote consumer protection enforcement. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) took over the presidency of ICPEN in July this year, and set three goals for the network, to: 1. Develop a year-round programme of work 2. Increase the capability of the network to deliver work of benefit in the future 3. Promote a stronger focus on enforcement One of the CMA’s aims in taking up the presidency was to create opportunities for trading standards to benefit from the sharing of intelligence, best practice and cross-border cooperation on enforcement. Under its strapline, ‘Better Enforcement Together’, it is firmly focused on ICPEN members collaborating on projects that can deliver real results for consumers. For investigations that target businesses trading across borders and transnational companies, enforcers and consumer protection agencies have a greater chance of achieving positive results for consumers by working together. Two key projects for the year are misleading pricing practices and online reviews and endorsements.