The Ministry of Commerce has imposed a financial penalty on one of the commercial establishments for violating the E-Commerce Law and its implementing regulations.
One of the commercial establishments posted an electronic advertisement on its social media accounts for an electric shaving product, including a misleading statement claiming that its product is the only one that has received a quality certificate from the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization. Upon communicating with the organization for verification, it was confirmed that the advertisement included a misleading statement, as there are more than 168 similar products that have received a certificate from the organization. Consequently, the establishment was required to remove the violating advertisement and the violation was referred to the committee for considering violations of the E-Commerce Law, which confirmed the violation and fined the establishment in accordance with the law and its implementing regulations.
The law prohibits advertisements from including false data or claims, or statements that could directly or indirectly deceive or mislead the consumer.
According to the law, anyone who violates the provisions is punishable by a fine of up to one million riyals, temporary or permanent suspension of e-commerce activities, and partial or total, temporary or permanent closure of the electronic store in coordination with the competent authority.