The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released the draft E-commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance. The draft covers topics such as self-governance to protect consumer interests, ensuring fair practices among stakeholders and the need for standardised practices, etc.
The BIS Retail, E-Commerce & E Payment Services Sectional Committee published the draft. This committee is responsible for setting standards and guidelines on retail operations, e-commerce and electronic payment services.
The document outlines principles and guidelines across three phases of e-commerce transactions: pre-transaction, contract formation and post-transaction. Key provisions include know your customer verification, detailed product information disclosure, transparent pricing, clear return and refund policies, and robust dispute redressal mechanisms.
The draft also addresses data protection, anti-counterfeiting measures and fair business practices. It mandates clear consent for transactions, prohibits pre-ticked checkboxes, and ensures consumers have opportunities to review and modify their orders before final confirmation.
Additionally, the standard emphasises the necessity for e-commerce entities to maintain transaction records, offer diverse and secure payment options, and provide clear information regarding recurring charges and subscriptions. It also seeks to prevent the sale of banned products and ensure fair treatment of all sellers and service providers.
