More time to provide feedback on draft ecomm user protection rules

BENGALURU: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has extended the deadline to submit feedback on proposed rules aimed at curbing the sale of counterfeit goods, streamline returns and refunds, and delineate the liabilities of sellers and online marketplaces.

It notified on Monday that stakeholders and the public can comment on the draft rules pertaining to consumer protection on ecommerce platforms till December 2, the third extension to the deadline it has given so far.

The Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2019, is part of eight draft rules that the ministry wants to notify under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.


The ministry had first introduced the ‘Ecommerce Guidelines for Consumer Protection 2019’ in August. “Rules on various topics are required to be notified under the new Act. The Department now proposes to notify the following rules under the Act,” the ministry notification read.

Under the proposed rules, all ecommerce businesses will have to be registered in India, will not directly or indirectly influence the prices of products and services they sell, will have to display the terms of contract with a seller or service provider, and not engage in misleading advertising, among others.

ET reported on September 30 that that the ministry was looking to expand the scope of the rules to ensure consumer protection for services such as video streaming, online ticket booking and ride hailing.

Following feedback from industry and stakeholders, the government will come out with the final rules for consumer protection for online shoppers.