New protection for web consumers – Caiado Guerreiro
EU legislation related to the protection of consumer rights, particularly with regard to electronic commerce, was transposed to Portuguese legislation on 14 February this year.
Decree-Law number 24/2014 establishes new rules that apply to distance contracts and contracts executed outside business premises.
In particular, the new rules change the requirements for pre-contractual information, specifically that traders need to provide more information about the different elements included in their charges.
The new rules also apply to the disclosure of information related to delivery, methods of payment and return policies. For example, at the start of the ordering process, websites should include information about whether any delivery restrictions apply. There should also be clarification about what methods of payment will be accepted.
These new rules come into force on June 13th, 2014. Until then the existing legislation, namely Decree-Law number 143/2001 will apply.
Joana Gomes dos Santos is a Partner at Caiado Guerreiro & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados. She can be contacted at jsantos@caiadoguerreiro.com
