New Consumer Law rules | New Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 |

New Consumer Law rules apply; Know what new you will get on e-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal etc.?

Note :-

• The central government notified new e-commerce rules under the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
• Provision of stringent punishment up to life imprisonment to the seller of counterfeit and adulterated goods.

1. The central government has notified new e-commerce rules under the Consumer Protection Act 2019.

The central government has notified new e-commerce rules under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 last week. The new rules will also apply to e-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal. It has several strict provisions for e-commerce sites. The seller of counterfeit and adulterated goods can be subject to life imprisonment. Let us know what is going to change in your e-shopping with these new rules?

2. What is new law and new rules?

1. Last year, the Parliament approved the Consumer Protection Bill 2019. This new law will replace the Consumer Protection Act 1986. The new law came into effect from July 20.

2. This law was enacted in August last year. But due to different rules could not apply. Several provisions have been made in the new law, in which accountability to e-commerce is key.

3. At present, no decision has been taken by the Central Government regarding sections 10 to 27 of Chapter 3 of the new law which has been enacted under the name of Consumer Protection Act 2019.

4. The period for appealing the decision of the District Commission to the State Commission has been increased from 30 to 45 days. Now district, state and national commissions can also review their decisions.

5. The consumer has become stronger with the new law. If the District and State Commission has given a decision in favor of the consumer, then his appeal will not be in the National Commission.

6. Now the PIL can also be filed in the Consumer Forum. Accountability of e-commerce, online, direct selling and teleshopping companies has been fixed.

3. How is this new consumer law different from the old?

1. The central government has made several changes in this law. Till now, the District Consumer Forum used to hear cases up to Rs 20 lakh. It has been increased to one crore rupees.

2. At present, the consumer had to file a petition in the State Commission on complaints of more than 20 lakhs in complaints.

3. According to the new law, cases above one crore rupees and up to 10 crore rupees will be able to go before the State Commission. At the same time, cases worth more than Rs 10 crore will go to the National Commission.

4. E-commerce websites will also be able to demand compensation.

1. The new law covers the manufacturer of the product, the service provider of the product and the seller of the product in any compensation claim.

2. E-retailers have to display details about vendors offering goods and services, including the name of the business, whether registered or not.

3. If anyone is found guilty of making or selling fake / fake goods, then the license will be suspended for two years. His license will be canceled on receipt of complaint for the second time.

4. The Consumer Commission will have a Mediation Cell. When there is scope for arbitration in a complaint, this cell will deal with it. Both sides will try to agree on one solution.

5. E-commerce websites can no longer hide from consumers?

1. These new rules have been named Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules 2020. In this, return, refund process has been made easier for online retailers.

2. The e-commerce rules will apply to all e-retailers who are offering products and services to Indian consumers. Then whether their registered office is in India or abroad.

3. E-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart will have to give all kinds of information to the consumer. Help the consumer decide shopping.

4. The consumer will have to tell what the agreement has been with the vendors. What is their address, where the product is manufactured, along with expiry date, payment gateway safety and customer care number.

6. Process of return, process of refund and rating of seller have to be reported. There will be no discrimination against customers. Similarly, there will be no discrimination against vendors.

7. Consumers have to explain the ways in which they can complain against a seller. They will also get updates on the process of hearing their complaint.

8. Till now sellers were responsible, but now e-commerce companies will also be responsible. Because, the product featured on their platform has been purchased by paying at their gateway.

6. **Provision of life imprisonment in the event of death by counterfeit goods.**

1. Consumers can bring manufacturers and vendors to court for adulteration and counterfeit goods and seek damages.

2. Under the new law, the manufacturer and seller will be responsible for compensating for the injury or damage caused by the defective product or service.

3. If there is no injury to the consumer due to the defective product, the seller may face a fine of up to 6 months and a fine of up to one lakh rupees.

4. If the consumer gets hurt due to the defective product, then the maximum jail sentence for the seller of goods will be 7 years and the fine will also increase to five lakh rupees.

5. If a consumer dies due to a defective product or service, the seller will be punished with imprisonment for seven years. The fine will also be 10 lakh rupees.

7. Accountability of celebrity advertisers also fixed.

1. Celebrities can also be fined up to Rs 10 lakh for misleading advertisements. It will be the responsibility of the celebrity to investigate the claim made in the advertisement.

2. There is a provision for fines and compensation on companies for adulterated goods and bad products. A false complaint will now attract a fine of up to 50 thousand rupees.

8. 35-member Central Consumer Protection Council to be formed.

1. Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, the Central Consumer Protection Council will be set up as an advisory body on consumer related issues.

2. The Council will be chaired by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs and the Deputy Chairman will be the Minister of State. As well as 34 other members from different fields will do.

3. The council, with a three-year tenure, will have consumer affairs ministers from the two states of each region - North, South, East, West and North-East.