The application “Consumer +” on the portal “Action” to protect consumer rights

On 12 August, European Business Association held a round table on improving consumer protection opportunities.

The event was attended by a senior partner of Dega Partners law firm and legal advisor of Committee of Consumer Electronics of European Business Association Konstantin Gamkrelidze.

During the round table, Konstantin presented a report on “Regulation of Internet commerce: international experience.” You can watch the full presentation at the link: https://bit.ly/3gVcNjA

According to experts, more than 30% of online shopping sites do not have information about the actual location or indicate knowingly inaccurate information. And now we have a situation where the average citizen is not able to verify the veracity of the information provided or is completely absent.

Online shoppers are not immune to fraud and cannot protect themselves from unscrupulous sellers. Therefore, it is important to clearly regulate this issue at the legislative level, based on the positive experience of other countries.

According to experts, about 80% of online shopping sites do not have any information that identifies the subject of e-commerce. And the statistics of the considered complaints concerning purchases in online stores, according to the State Food and Consumer Service reaches about 1%.

“Already today, Ukraine ranks second in Europe in terms of e-commerce market growth. Sales of goods and services on the Internet in 2020 is projected at UAH 87.2 billion. For the civilized development of digitalization, the European model of regulating the Internet space with clear regulation of trade on the Internet should be immediately implemented in the legislation of Ukraine,” Konstantin Gamkrelidze said at the round table.

How will Consumer + solve the problem?

This project implementation will provide an opportunity for interested importers, online stores and service centers to voluntarily register in the Unified State Web Portal of electronic services of the portal” Action “and receive a unique electronic identifier. Its presence on the consumer’s online store page will guarantee that such a seller is backed by a bona fide business entity that has provided its reliable data to the “Action” system and in case the consumer has problems with the product will be ready to help “, – said at a round table the head of the legal department of Samsung Electronics Eugene Shkola.

Despite the possibility of voluntary registration, the application “Consumer +” will provide a number of other benefits, including:

businesses will be able to register branches;
direct interaction with delivery services; use a block of current advertising offers; check the serial numbers of imported products, display of official models and unofficial models found on the market, training of device repair and electronic warranty card, etc.
inspection bodies will be able to obtain the necessary information. For example, unofficial or counterfeit models found on the market that do not meet the requirements of the law, etc.
a consumer corner will be created for consumers with up-to-date information and links to laws in the field of consumer protection, complaint templates, and necessary cantatas. It will also be possible to quickly go to the link on the websites of manufacturers with the ability to check a particular model, get an electronic warranty card or a list of the nearest authorized service centers with information on their work schedule, contacts, etc.

Following the round table, it was decided to apply to the authorities in order to implement the project “Consumer +”. We hope that the initiative will be supported and we will be able to jointly create an effective tool to improve consumer protection and bring order to the e-commerce market.

EBA Consumer + Round Table

The professionals of the DEGA Partners team defend the interests of both business and consumers. We are always ready to join the implementation of useful and interesting initiatives in any direction.