North America: Consumer Protection

Québec has enacted sweeping consumer protection reforms that will reshape how businesses operate in the province. From mandatory right-to-repair obligations and extended product warranties to click-to-cancel subscription requirements and restrictions on AI-generated endorsements, these changes demand immediate attention from organizations selling products or services to Québec consumers. Understanding the implementation timelines and compliance requirements is essential for businesses to adapt the

This week's product recalls span everything from blood pressure medication and electric bikes to hand warmers and grill brushes, with hazards ranging from fire risks to ingestion dangers. Understanding which products pose safety threats and what compensation options exist for those injured by defective items is crucial for consumer protection.

Together, these laws change the rules for cannabis testing, certificates of analysis, packaging, advertising, edible labels, and multi-serving beverages. Some provisions take effect on January 1, 2027. Others arrive in July 2027 or January 2028. But none should be ignored until the last minute.

North Carolina has joined a growing number of states seeking to address the consumer protection risks associated with cryptocurrency kiosks. On July 8, Gov. Josh Stein signed H.B. 920 into law, creating the Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act, which provides a comprehensive regulatory framework governing virtual currency kiosks operating in the state. The act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Affordability remains front and center at the FTC. This month, the agency turned its attention to healthcare and gas costs. It also issued detailed guidance on price transparency for auto dealers that marketers in any industry might want to heed: the advertised price “must be the actual price that any consumer can walk in and pay,” with only government fees excluded. The FTC continues to consider how to combat scams and is seeking public comment on whether online platforms should help stop scammers who use those platforms to impersonate third parties by, for example, requiring the removal of confirmed impersonation scam ads.

Law 543 of 2026 introduces new obligations for supermarkets, retail stores, and other commercial establishments in Panama regarding the identification of the origin and nature of food products offered to consumers.

This comprehensive update covers critical developments in food safety, regulatory changes, and agricultural health issues affecting the US food and beverage industry. From FDA's release of the 2026 Food Code and ongoing ultra-processed food definition debates to emerging litigation trends around allulose sweeteners and state-level nutrition initiatives, the landscape continues to evolve rapidly.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a new enforcement action against Greenway Auto Group, alleging the Florida dealership chain charged consumers thousands more than advertised prices through hidden fees and conditional rebates. This case demonstrates how the FTC is applying its recently released auto pricing guidance to crack down on dealerships that advertise one price but charge another at the point of sale.

Recent federal court decisions are reshaping TCPA litigation by narrowing the scope of actionable communications and consent requirements. Multiple district courts have ruled that text messages...

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a new enforcement action against Greenway Auto Group, alleging the Florida dealership chain charged consumers thousands more than advertised prices through hidden fees and conditional rebates. This case demonstrates how the FTC is applying its recently released auto pricing guidance to crack down on dealerships that advertise one price but charge another at the point of sale.

Québec has enacted sweeping consumer protection reforms that will reshape how businesses operate in the province. From mandatory right-to-repair obligations and extended product warranties to click-to-cancel subscription requirements and restrictions on AI-generated endorsements, these changes demand immediate attention from organizations selling products or services to Québec consumers. Understanding the implementation timelines and compliance requirements is essential for businesses to adapt the

The Federal Trade Commission has secured a settlement with an auto dealership group over allegations of deceptive pricing practices, including advertising vehicles thousands of dollars below actual purchase prices and using misleading prize promotions. The proposed order would require prominent disclosure of total vehicle prices and prohibit misrepresentations concerning pricing, financing, and promotional incentives.