The CEPI is an international programme under the auspices of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) and was formally endorsed by the APEC Small and Medium Enterprise Ministerial meeting in New Zealand on April 27-28, 1999.
The objective of CEPI is to enhance consumer protection in APEC economies by providing technical assistance and helping educate consumers and governments about fraud, pyramid schemes and other issues of concern. CEPI will produce a series of Consumer Education and Protection programmes hosted by interested APEC economies and local Direct Selling Associations. Government officials, consumer leaders, micro enterprise owners and direct selling industry representatives will plan and implement the programmes in their markets, gearing each programme to local consumer protection issues and concerns.
DSAM is the third country to host the APEC CEPI programme, after Thailand and Philippines. The APEC CEPI programme is funded by the WFDSA.