E-Commerce Entities In India – Applicable Regulations

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution through the Department of Consumer Affairs has issued the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 vide notification bearing number G.S.R. 462(E) on July 23, 2020 ("E-Commerce Rules") to regulate the operations of e-commerce entities in India in a fair and transparent manner and to protect the rights and interest of consumers. The gazette copy of the E-Commerce Rules can be accessed here [http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/220661.pdf].

The E-Commerce Rules require the e-commerce entities to adhere to the strict guidelines contained therein inter-alia to regulate price manipulation; to ensure compulsory display of details related to country of origin of the product, return, refund, exchange, warranty, delivery and shipment; to ensure quality control to enable the consumers make an informed decision at a pre-purchase stage. The clear intent of the