Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin has signed a statutory instrument that enacts the EU Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation.
The aim of the regulation is to link up national enforcement authorities and enable them to take co-ordinated action against rogue traders who target consumers across EU borders, through the Internet, by direct mail, telephone or other methods.
The type of cross-border matters covered by the regulation might involve misleading advertising of products or services, distance selling or package holidays.
Announcing the new law, Mr Martin said the regulation strengthens the State's hand in pursuing rogue traders based in other member states who take advantage of Irish consumers.
"The new law addresses difficulties in tackling these scams by providing new powers to enable Irish enforcement authorities to gather information and conduct investigations into unscrupulous practices and, for the first time, Irish authorities have the power to seek and obtain enforcement action from their European counterparts on cross-border infringements of consumer law," Mr Martin said.