Tweak draft e-com rules, says Nasscom
3 years, 8 months ago

Tweak draft e-com rules, says Nasscom

The Hindu  

Consumer consent for sharing information, limiting fallback liability to timely refund, and aligning some of the proposed amendments that are currently beyond the scope of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 with the objective of the Act, are some recommendations that National Association of Software and Services Companies has made on the draft e-commerce rules. In a statement, the industry body said that some of the proposed amendments appear to be beyond the scope of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 and are instead a subject matter of either the Competition Act, 2002 or the Information Technology Act, 2000. “Towards this, our suggestions focus on proposed amendments dealing with regulation of data management practices for cross-selling by e-commerce entities, regulating behaviour of entities not directly engaged in e-commerce business with a consumer, regulating competition in the market, etc,” it said, adding that the proposed requirement be either done away with or aligned with the objective of Consumer Protection Act 2019. “Instead of prohibiting certain activities, suggested to include an indicative list of unfair trade practices that the Central Consumer Protection Authority may investigate upon, for ensuring consumer protection,” it said, adding that the consumer consent be required for sharing consumer information to any person unless it is for the fulfilment of an order or providing any services as promised by the e-commerce entity.

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History of this topic

Draft rules mandate KYC, detailed product listings, secure payments for e-commerce platforms
2 months, 1 week ago

Draft rules mandate KYC, detailed product listings, secure payments for e-commerce platforms

Live Mint  

As a part of its initiatives to promote self-regulation among e-commerce platforms, the government released draft guidelines on Tuesday aimed at protecting consumers from potential fraud in the fast-growing digital shopping industry. However, it remains unclear whether the released draft guidelines are part of the broader e-commerce policy that was expected to be introduced after the stakeholder consultations two years …

E-Commerce Policy In Final Stages, Awaiting Approval From Top Authorities: Government Official
1 year, 7 months ago

E-Commerce Policy In Final Stages, Awaiting Approval From Top Authorities: Government Official

ABP News  

The proposed national e-commerce policy being formulated by the commerce and industry ministry is in the final stages and no new draft policy will be issued now for seeking views of stakeholders, a senior government official said. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade on August 2 held a detailed discussion with representatives of e-commerce firms and a …

Empowering Consumers in E-Commerce: Unleashing Policy for Protection, Not Dilution - News18
1 year, 8 months ago

Empowering Consumers in E-Commerce: Unleashing Policy for Protection, Not Dilution - News18

News 18  

If the Consumer Protection Rules or the E-Commerce Policy are implemented strictly, they may have worrisome implications. In order to strengthen consumer protection, e-commerce companies have implemented rigorous measures to combat fraudulent activities and safeguard against counterfeit products. While the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s intention to address the potential negative impact of such pricing practices is commendable, restricting discounts and competitive …

Guidelines to curb 'deceptive' e-commerce marketing practices soon: Govt
1 year, 9 months ago

Guidelines to curb 'deceptive' e-commerce marketing practices soon: Govt

Firstpost  

The ministry will develop a comprehensive framework to protect consumers in collaboration with the Advertising Standards Council of India. The guidelines would be drafted within two months to curb deceptive or dark patterns that manipulate consumer choices, Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on June 13. The ministry on June 13 encouraged stakeholders, including e-commerce sites like Amazon, …

Govt to tweak rules for e-commerce portals
2 years, 11 months ago

Govt to tweak rules for e-commerce portals

The Hindu  

The Department of Consumer Affairs is in the process of bringing in revised e-commerce rules which, among the amendments, will also press for “algorithmic fairness” on these marketplaces to remove the advantage that many of these entities give to sellers wholly or partially owned by them and provide a level playing field for small businesses. Consumer’s right Speaking to The …

Proposed e-commerce policy to be robust, balanced, says Piyush Goyal
3 years, 5 months ago

Proposed e-commerce policy to be robust, balanced, says Piyush Goyal

The Hindu  

Union minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday assured that every stakeholder's interest will be taken into consideration while framing the e-commerce policy which would be robust and in the interest of every Indian. Mr. Goyal, who heads Commerce and Industry as well as Consumer Affairs ministries, also said that he welcomes all the feedback on the draft e-commerce rules but comments …

MSMEs resent new provisions in e-commerce rules
3 years, 7 months ago

MSMEs resent new provisions in e-commerce rules

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Fifty-eight per cent of micro, small and medium enterprises want the government to reconsider the amendment it made recently to the Consumer Protection rules 2020. In a survey by Local Circles, it was noted that over 3,000 businesses have seen a jump in online sales from 50 to 100 per cent. Sujath Ali, a small businessman in the gaming …

Will the new e-commerce rules really favour consumers?
3 years, 8 months ago

Will the new e-commerce rules really favour consumers?

The Hindu  

In June, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution came out with a list of proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. Anupam Manur and Prithwiraj Mukherjee discuss the proposed amendments in a conversation moderated by Prashanth Perumal J. Edited excerpts: What is your view on the draft e-commerce rules? I think the rules are …

E-commerce rules: The pushback begins
3 years, 8 months ago

E-commerce rules: The pushback begins

Live Mint  

E-commerce companies and industry associations gave their recommendations to the government, calling for several changes to the proposed Consumer Protection Rules, 2020, on Wednesday, the last day to submit their feedback. By widening the definition, the government might be risking forcing even smaller sellers to comply with the proposed e-commerce rules, increasing the compliance burden and affecting their ease of …

Draft E-commerce Rules: Why are online retailers concerned? | The Hindu In Focus Podcast
3 years, 8 months ago

Draft E-commerce Rules: Why are online retailers concerned? | The Hindu In Focus Podcast

The Hindu  

The Consumer Affairs Ministry last month issued a set of new draft e-commerce rules that has some of the top e-commerce sites rather worried. According to the government, these rules seek to protect consumer interest, prevent unfair trade practices, and encourage fair competition. Among other things, the rules bar certain kinds of flash sales and mis-selling, and make it mandatory …

E-commerce Rules Amendments: Adding Or Stripping Away The Competition Jurisdiction?
3 years, 8 months ago

E-commerce Rules Amendments: Adding Or Stripping Away The Competition Jurisdiction?

Live Law  

The Government of India recently published certain proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 seeking public comments and suggestions. Several provisions of the Amendment Rules directly address the issues that are pending investigation before the CCI and lay down detailed regulations on the business practices of e-commerce entities: a) Definition of 'e-commerce entity': The definition of 'e-commerce entity' is …

Union government’s new e-commerce rules target Amazon and Flipkart-Walmart
3 years, 9 months ago

Union government’s new e-commerce rules target Amazon and Flipkart-Walmart

The Hindu  

T he National Democratic Alliance government has decided to further tighten its regulation of e-commerce, taking on foreign giants such as Amazon and Flipkart-Walmart in particular, with implications for domestic organised retail majors such as Reliance. Specifically, the guidelines noted that 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route is permitted only in a marketplace model of e-commerce, where the …

Explained: Will proposed e-commerce rules do away with flash sales, boost Make In India?
3 years, 9 months ago

Explained: Will proposed e-commerce rules do away with flash sales, boost Make In India?

Firstpost  

Along the lines of the grievance officers that social media platforms are required to appoint an India, e-commerce platforms, too, will be mandated to create the roles of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person, and resident grievance officer The e-commerce marketplace in India is already worth more than $80 billion this year and, by 2027, will have touched $200 …

EXPLAINED: Will Proposed Changes To E-Commerce Rules Do Away With Flash Sales, Boost Make In India?
3 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINED: Will Proposed Changes To E-Commerce Rules Do Away With Flash Sales, Boost Make In India?

News 18  

The e-commerce marketplace in India is already worth more than $80 billion this year and, by 2027, will have touched $200 billion in value. But the amended rules say that such “no e-commerce entity shall organise a flash sale of goods or services offered on its platform” where such a sale is “organised by fraudulently intercepting the ordinary course of …

Policy creep: The Hindu Editorial on e-commerce and overregulation risks
3 years, 9 months ago

Policy creep: The Hindu Editorial on e-commerce and overregulation risks

The Hindu  

Barely 11 months after the Government notified the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020, the Department of Consumer Affairs has mooted a set of sweeping amendments, ostensibly “to protect the interests of consumers. Among them is a norm stipulating the appointment of a chief compliance officer, a nodal contact person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies, and another requiring e-commerce entities …

E-Commerce Rules: What About Flash Sales? How Does It Affect You?
3 years, 9 months ago

E-Commerce Rules: What About Flash Sales? How Does It Affect You?

The Quint  

In the draft, the government highlighted that e-commerce companies won't be allowed to hold 'flash sales' in India. During flash sales, e-commerce platforms observe high spikes in customer orders as they offer heavy discounts on products, sometimes up to 80 percent. The ministry also proposed that e-commerce firms should appoint a chief compliance officer, a nodal contact person, and comply …

Explained: Government Proposes New E-commerce Rules, Here's What it Means for Consumers
3 years, 9 months ago

Explained: Government Proposes New E-commerce Rules, Here's What it Means for Consumers

News 18  

The central government on Monday proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 and sought public comments on banning “mis-selling” and fraudulent “flash sale” of goods and services on e-commerce platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon. The new draft rules have also proposed that every e-commerce entity which intends to operate in India must register itself with the Department for …

Ban on mis-selling, fraudulent flash sales and other changes to e-commerce rules proposed by govt
3 years, 9 months ago

Ban on mis-selling, fraudulent flash sales and other changes to e-commerce rules proposed by govt

Firstpost  

Ban on misleading users by manipulating search results, appointment of chief compliance officer and resident grievance officer are some of the other amendments being proposed. The Centre on Monday proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 and sought public comments on banning mis-selling and fraudulent flash sale of goods and services on e-commerce platforms, and also on making registration …

Govt. moots proposal to ban ‘flash sales’ on e-commerce sites
3 years, 9 months ago

Govt. moots proposal to ban ‘flash sales’ on e-commerce sites

The Hindu  

To monitor the deep discounts offered on e-commerce websites, the government on Monday proposed changes to the Consumer Protection Rules 2020, banning all “flash sales”. “Conventional flash sales by third party sellers are not banned on e-commerce platform. But certain e-commerce entities are engaging in limiting consumer choice by indulging in ‘back to back’ or ‘flash’ sales wherein one seller …

Govt Proposes Ban on Mis-selling, Fraudulent Flash Sales on E-commerce Platforms, Seeks Public Comments
3 years, 9 months ago

Govt Proposes Ban on Mis-selling, Fraudulent Flash Sales on E-commerce Platforms, Seeks Public Comments

News 18  

The Centre on Monday proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 and sought public comments on banning mis-selling and fraudulent flash sale of goods and services on e-commerce platforms, and also on making registration of these entities mandatory with DPIIT. “Views/ comments/ suggestions on the proposed amendments may be sent within 15 days by email to js-ca@nic.in,” Anupam Mishra, …

Govt proposes ban on mis-selling, fraudulent flash sales on e-commerce platforms
3 years, 9 months ago

Govt proposes ban on mis-selling, fraudulent flash sales on e-commerce platforms

India TV News  

The Centre on Monday proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 and sought public comments on banning mis-selling and fraudulent flash sale of goods and services on e-commerce platforms, and also on making registration of these entities mandatory with DPIIT. "Views/ comments/ suggestions on the proposed amendments may be sent within 15 days by email to js-ca@nic.in," Anupam Mishra, …

Parliament panel calls for clear-cut definition of unfair trade practice for e-commerce
4 years ago

Parliament panel calls for clear-cut definition of unfair trade practice for e-commerce

The Hindu  

Stating that predatory pricing by e-commerce firms may lead to wiping out of competition and may be detrimental to consumers in the long run, a parliamentary panel has recommended that the government should announce a more clear-cut definition of what constitutes unfair trade practice along with practical legal remedy to tackle the issue. The committee, headed by Member of Parliament …

Draft e-commerce policy moots conformity assessment procedures for online platforms
4 years ago

Draft e-commerce policy moots conformity assessment procedures for online platforms

The Hindu  

Conformity assessment procedures will be put in place to verify that goods and services sold on e-commerce platforms meet required standards and technical regulations, according to the draft e-commerce policy. "Conformity assessment procedures will be put in place in order to verify that goods and services sold, on e-commerce platforms, meet required standards and technical regulations, as prescribed by sector …

10 Important Factors An E-Commerce Entity Must Know To Deal With The Consumers In 2020
4 years, 2 months ago

10 Important Factors An E-Commerce Entity Must Know To Deal With The Consumers In 2020

Live Law  

As per ministry of communication, Govt. Who is an E-commerce entity under Consumer Protection Act, 2019 & Consumer Protection Rules, 2020? E-commerce entities where Consumer Protection Act, 2019 & Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 applies:- Marketplace e-commerce entity which provides an information technology platform on a digital or electronic network to facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 …

Amazon v. Amway: Managing Conflicts and a Case for Balancing Safeguards (Part 3)
4 years, 7 months ago

Amazon v. Amway: Managing Conflicts and a Case for Balancing Safeguards (Part 3)

Live Law  

In Part 1 of this essay, we offered a background to the January 2020 Delhi High Court ruling in the Amway cases and discussed the issue of consent of direct selling entities to subsequent third party sales of their products. In Part 2, we evaluated whether and under what conditions direct selling entities can oppose commercial dealing of their products …

Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules 2020: A Step In The Right Direction?
4 years, 7 months ago

Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules 2020: A Step In The Right Direction?

Live Law  

The e-commerce industry was already booming but the pandemic has impacted its growth significantly. The Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 complement the Act with regards to the protection of consumers from unfair trade practices and other practices of e-commerce platforms. However, many established and prominent companies already follow this mechanism but the idea behind this rule is to make a uniform …

Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules Comes Into Force [Read Notification]
4 years, 8 months ago

Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules Comes Into Force [Read Notification]

Live Law  

The Central Government has notified Consumer Protection Rules, 2020 to prevent unfair trade practices in e-commerce, direct selling and also to protect the interest and rights of consumers. Section 94 of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 empowers the Central Government to take measures to prevent unfair trade practices in e-commerce, direct selling and also to protect the. Section 94 of …

E-tailers must solve complaints, ease returns under new law
4 years, 8 months ago

E-tailers must solve complaints, ease returns under new law

Live Mint  

Online retailers must facilitate easy returns, address customer complaints and avoid discriminating against merchants on their platforms, according to proposed rules for e-commerce companies under India’s new consumer protection law. The e-commerce rules will apply to all electronic retailers offering goods and services to Indian consumers, whether registered in India or overseas, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in a …

The Rights Of Consumers In The Digital Age: Advantages And Disadvantages Of E-Commerce
5 years, 2 months ago

The Rights Of Consumers In The Digital Age: Advantages And Disadvantages Of E-Commerce

Live Law  

E-commerce has seen immense growth in the recent past; the use of smartphones and readily available internet has completely transformed the way of purchasing today. Today a consumer not only make purchases online but also browse a wide range of goods, look for a specific product and also compare prices easily. Similar to a common consumer an e-commerce consumers right …

Opinion | An e-commerce compliance audit
5 years, 3 months ago

Opinion | An e-commerce compliance audit

Live Mint  

By seeking an annual statutory audit of compliance with foreign direct investment rules for online marketplaces, the government is addressing recently aired concerns by local traders that e-commerce companies may not be following changes that came into force in February. The marketplaces were barred from holding stakes in sellers using their platform and from exclusive product sale deals, which had …

Govt plans regulator to monitor online retailers, curb disputes
5 years, 4 months ago

Govt plans regulator to monitor online retailers, curb disputes

Live Mint  

India is examining the feasibility of setting up a regulatory authority to settle disputes related to e-commerce, a top government official said, amid a raging battle between big online retailers and mom-and-pop stores. “We plan to implement the policy within this financial year.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration is under pressure from small traders to act against the big online …

E-commerce guidelines to be mandatory under consumer protection law: Paswan
5 years, 7 months ago

E-commerce guidelines to be mandatory under consumer protection law: Paswan

Live Mint  

New Delhi: To protect consumer interest, the government on Tuesday said the guidelines drafted for e-commerce firms will be made mandatory under the new Consumer Protection Act and stringent action against violators will be taken by a regulatory authority. "The draft guidelines on e-commerce will be made part of the rules under the new consumer protection law. "Consumer Affairs Secretary …

Govt accuses Flipkart, Amazon of violating FDI norms in e-commerce; says e-tailers try to influence prices of goods
6 years, 1 month ago

Govt accuses Flipkart, Amazon of violating FDI norms in e-commerce; says e-tailers try to influence prices of goods

Firstpost  

The government had made it clear that it would not extend the deadline of 1 February for implementing the revised guidelines for e-commerce companies having FDI. E-commerce majors Flipkart and Amazon were reportedly selling goods at low prices on their platforms adopting different methods such as direct price discounts, covering marketing expenses, and providing concessional logistics services, said a report …

What India e-commerce policy entails for online retailers
6 years, 2 months ago

What India e-commerce policy entails for online retailers

Live Mint  

In a speech at the All India Traders Convention on 27 February 2014 ahead of the general election, Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi surprised everybody by not playing to the gallery. On 26 December, a day after Christmas, while festive sales peaked, the department of industrial policy and promotion —the nodal agency for formulating FDI policy—surprised everybody …

New norms for e-commerce cos to create level-playing field, help MSMEs: Industry
6 years, 3 months ago

New norms for e-commerce cos to create level-playing field, help MSMEs: Industry

India TV News  

The government's move to tighten norms for online marketplaces with foreign investment will close the "back door" that has been "blatantly exploited" by such companies and provide a level-playing field, industry players said Thursday. The changes will mostly affect US-based Amazon and Walmart-backed Flipkart -- the two largest players in the burgeoning Indian e-commerce sector -- as one of the …

Amazon, Walmart face tough rules as India aids small traders
6 years, 3 months ago

Amazon, Walmart face tough rules as India aids small traders

Live Mint  

India tightened rules for foreign investment in e-commerce companies to check predatory pricing and deep discounts that threatened the domestic retail industry. E-commerce companies like Amazon.com Inc and Walmart Inc.’s Flipkart, which act as a facilitator between the buyer and seller by providing an online market place, must treat all vendors equally by providing the same terms, the trade ministry …

E-commerce rules tightened; govt bans online firms from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers
6 years, 3 months ago

E-commerce rules tightened; govt bans online firms from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers

Firstpost  

The government also said that e-commerce companies will be prevented from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers. The new regulations follow complaints from Indian retailers and traders, who say the giant e-commerce companies are using their control over inventory from their affiliates, and through exclusive sales agreements, to create an unfair marketplace that allows them to sell some products at …

Govt panel set to probe e-commerce firms’ big discounts
6 years, 5 months ago

Govt panel set to probe e-commerce firms’ big discounts

Live Mint  

New Delhi: A review of the competition law that has just started is set to find out if the steep discounts offered by online retailers promotes competition or stifles it as alleged by their old school rivals. Conventional retailers who compete with e-tailers are strongly opposed to discounts offered by online sellers arguing that it is aimed at displacing brick-and-mortar …

What draft e-commerce policy means for India’s retail sector
6 years, 7 months ago

What draft e-commerce policy means for India’s retail sector

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Just a day before her retirement on 31 July, commerce secretary Rita Teotia tabled the draft e-commerce policy before a panel headed by commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu. The draft e-commerce policy, which effectively seeks to regulate all aspects of online retail and recommends strict restrictions, including curbs on discounts, may impact not just e-commerce companies, but …

Amazon, Flipkart want the draft e-commerce policy scrapped
6 years, 7 months ago

Amazon, Flipkart want the draft e-commerce policy scrapped

Live Mint  

New Delhi/Bengaluru: India’s largest e-commerce firms Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd are lobbying the government to scrap the entire draft e-commerce policy, which recommends strict restrictions on online retail, including curbs on discounts, people familiar with the matter said. The two firms, which account for a majority of the $18 billion online retail market, were not part of the panel …

Draft e-commerce policy: Amazon, Walmart wary about appointment of regulator; feel blueprint tilted towards domestic cos
6 years, 7 months ago

Draft e-commerce policy: Amazon, Walmart wary about appointment of regulator; feel blueprint tilted towards domestic cos

Firstpost  

Industry feels that the e-commerce industry could go back to the days of the infamous ‘Licence Raj’. Foreign companies like Amazon and Walmart have reportedly become wary of India’s proposed e-commerce policy, which plans to create a level playing field by ensuring that all websites, involved in e-commerce transactions from India, follow domestic rules. “A single legislation to address all …

E-commerce FDI policy may not change discounting model of online marketplaces: Report
8 years, 11 months ago

E-commerce FDI policy may not change discounting model of online marketplaces: Report

Firstpost  

The recently introduced e-commerce policy is unlikely to change the discounting model of online marketplaces in the near-term, says India Ratings and Research. Ind-Ra also said the traditional offline retailers are unlikely to benefit as the policy is directed towards defining and limiting the scope of operations of e-commerce business. This has been done “to discourage the deep discounting strategy …

Big challenge to ensure consumer welfare with e-commerce, says Paswan
10 years, 5 months ago

Big challenge to ensure consumer welfare with e-commerce, says Paswan

Firstpost  

Paswan further said that though the government has largely not received complaints from e-commerce consumers, but the existing mechanism need to be strengthened to address their grievances. New Delhi: Amid rise in e-commerce activities in the country, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said there was need to strengthen consumer protection strategies for online consumers. E-commerce is also growing …

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