What you need to know about consumer protection law Sisi ratified

CAIRO – 18 September 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi ratified Sunday a new law protecting consumers from unsafe products, and ensuring the right of citizens to know all details about products they consume.

First, the law prohibits carrying out practices that violate basic rights of consumers, including the right to get products that are not harmful for their health.

The law also guarantees the consumers' right to have comprehensive and correct information about the services introduced to them and products they consume.

The main information provided about the product has to include the source of the product, its price, nature, main characteristics besides other information determined by the law's executive regulations.

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- Executive regulations should be issued by a decision of the prime minister within three months.

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Suppliers are also obliged by the law to ensure that all messages to the consumer including ads, data, information, documents, bills, and receipts are written in Arabic or in two or more languages including Arabic. In addition, they have to be written in a clear, easily read font.

Moreover, the product's information has to include the supplier's identifiable information, mainly including his address, contact information, and trade mark if available, all in Arabic as well.

Praising the law, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Agency, Radi Abdel Ati, described the ratification of the law as a "victory" for Egyptian citizens and consumers.

In an interview on Sunday with Salat al-Tahrir on Sada al-Balad, Abdel Ati said that the law helps protect the rights of citizens by obliging suppliers to commit to health and safety procedures.

Abdel Aati added that the law protects consumers from monopoly and misleading ads. He also explained that the law levies fines up to LE 2 million ($111,500) on violators.

According to MENA, the law also stipulates that the economic courts are entrusted to adjudicate in civil and commercial disputes, while the administrative courts are responsible for adjudicating administrative disputes resulting from putting the new law into force.

The 56- article law was approved by the Egyptian Parliament last April.

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MENA contributed to the report