Consumer watchdog launches volunteer network to fight misleading practices

Israel’s Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority announced on Tuesday a new nationwide volunteer program aimed at improving consumer awareness and reducing violations of the Consumer Protection Law. For the first time since the authority was founded, it is recruiting citizens from across the country to help educate businesses and the public about consumer rights and fair trade.

In the pilot, volunteers will serve as “fair consumer ambassadors” and take part in outreach activities with shop owners and the wider public. The goal is to make consumer rights easier to understand, strengthen familiarity with the law’s requirements, and encourage more transparent and fair business conduct. The authority said the effort is meant to complement enforcement, since enforcement alone is not always enough.

Officials said the program is based on the belief that raising awareness among businesses and consumers can prevent violations before they happen, increase public trust in the market, and improve compliance with the law. The initiative is part of the authority’s broader approach, which sees education, outreach, and information access as central tools for protecting consumers and promoting a fairer business environment.

Selected applicants will receive specialized training covering the Consumer Protection Law, fair trade principles, public communication, ethics, and service procedures. The authority is calling on people with an interest in consumer protection, public-facing skills, and a sense of civic mission to apply, with preference for those experienced in training, law, regulation, public service, or community work, as well as speakers of additional languages. The volunteer work will be unpaid and professionally supervised by authority staff throughout the program.