Ministry Gets Tough on E-commerce: Compliance or Closure

TDT| Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has launched a comprehensive campaign to regulate the activities of businesses engaged in ‘Retail Sales via Internet’ (ISIC code 4791).

The initiative underscores the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of consumers and merchants while fostering a fair and transparent e-commerce environment.

Compliance Requirements

As part of the new measures, business owners are required to register their e-store link in the ministry’s system under the ‘E-store/E-marketplace Address’ field.

E-stores must also ensure they provide an efficient shopping cart that facilitates seamless product selection and purchases for customers.

Additionally, secure payment options are mandatory to protect financial data during online transactions.

Clear policies governing returns, exchanges, product usage, and data privacy must also be prominently displayed on all e-stores.

Furthermore, business owners are required to offer reliable delivery services to ensure timely distribution of purchased products.

Sector Oversight

The ministry emphasised that businesses holding licences for online sales must not use virtual stores to sell items requiring prior approval from other government agencies.

This measure aims to prevent regulatory breaches and enhance consumer trust in the sector.

Strict Measures

Non-compliance with the stipulated requirements will result in legal action, according to the ministry.

The decision to regulate online sales activities is seen as a pivotal step in strengthening consumer protections and ensuring fair competition among businesses operating in the Kingdom’s digital economy.