In this Declaration OECD Governments seek to protect consumers in the online environment "by:

• reviewing and adapting laws and practices, if necessary, to address the special circumstances of electronic commerce;
• supporting and encouraging the development of effective market-driven self-regulatory mechanisms that include input from consumer representatives, and contain specific, substantive rules for dispute resolution and compliance mechanisms;
• encouraging the development of technology also as a tool to protect consumers;
• taking steps to educate users, fostering informed decision-making by consumers participating in electronic commerce, and increasing business awareness of the consumer protection framework that applies to their online activities; and
• increasing awareness among judicial and law enforcement officials of the need for effective international co-operation to protect consumers and combat cross-border fraudulent, misleading and unfair commercial conduct."

Though not binding, these framework principles are important as a political statement that establishes a benchmark for signatories and others.