CONSUMER PROTECTION

IN LATVIA

Study Course: International Legal

Environment of Business
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
Oleg Andreev SAs15028
E-mail: andreev.1992.oleg@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER
RIGHTS
STANDARDS
Every year, March 15 is observed as "World Consumer Right Day". Its significance is that in
1962 on this day, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the then president of the US declared four
consumer rights. Later, International Organisation of Consumers Union (IOCU) added
three more rights to the list. These have been also incorporated in the United Nations Charter
of Human Rights. These are:
1.

Right to Safety

2.

Right to be Informed

3.

Right to Choose
Mentioned by President

4.

Right to be Heard

5.

Right to Redress(solution)

6.

Right to Healthy Environment

Added by International Organization of

7.

Right to Consumer Education

Consumers Union (IOCU)

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER
RIGHTS STANDARDS (PART II)
Right against exploitation by unfair trade practices.
Right to protection of health and safety from goods and
services that are available to the consumer.
Right to be informed about the quality and performance
standards, ingredients of the products, possible adverse effects
etc.
Right to be heard if there is any grievance or suggestion.
Right to get genuine grievances redressed.
Right to a physical environment that will protect and enhance
the quality of life.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSUMER
PROTECTION

Protection of consumers from hazards to their health and

safety.
Promotion and protection of the economic interests of
consumers.
Access of consumers to adequate information to enable
them make informed choices.
Consumer education.
Availability of effective consumer redress.
Freedom to organize consumer groups to present their views
in decision making processes affecting them.

CONSUMER PROTECTION
IN LATVIA
Law on Protection of Consumer Rights (adopted on 18
March 1999)
The Product and Services Safety Law (adopted on 7
April 2004)
The Law on Liability for Defective Goods and Deficient
Services (adopted on 20 June 2000)
The Advertising Law
The Standardization Law (adopted on 14 October 1998).

CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW

Consumer protection of
Latvian Republic is regulated
by the ,,Consumer Rights
Protection Law adopted
by Saeima
The law establishes internal
legal framework of
consumer protection
mechanisms and regulation
of violated consumer rights.

RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL UNDER

LATVIAN CONSUMER
PROTECTION LAW SECTION 12
SUBS.5
The consumer has a duty to return the goods or article to the
manufacturer, seller or service provider within seven days after
sending of the written withdrawal (if goods or articles have been
received).
The manufacturer, seller or service provider has a duty, within
seven days after receipt of a document confirming the costs, to
repay the consumer this amount of money together with all
interest, which has been paid for the goods or articles, or services
up to the time of termination of the contract.
If the consumer exercises the right of withdrawal and submits a
claim in accordance with Section 27 of this Law, and returns the
goods at his or her own expense, then the manufacturer, seller or
service provider shall, within seven daysafter receipt of documents
confirming the costs, compensate the consumer also for the costs
related to the return of the goods or articles.

WHAT ARE DEFECTIVE

GOODS AND WHO IS LIABLE?
Under the Liability and Defective Goods or Services law defective
goods are those which do not guarantee the expected safety level.
1) the description of the goods their structure and packaging;
2) the instructions (directions) for installation or utilisation;
3) the use of the goods under normal or expected circumstances; and
4) the time when the goods were put into circulation.

It shall not be considered that goods are defective or services are

deficient for the sole reason that better goods have been put into
circulation, or better services have been provided

LATVIAN REGULATOR
(CONSUMER PROTECTION
AGENCY)
Consumer protection agency is

established by Section 24 chapter

VI of the Latvian consumer
protection law.
In empowers the regulator to
take action if consumer right are
violated, as well as gives authority
for the agency to establish
procedure and take decisions

CONSUMER PROCEDURE
COMPLAINT
Basically you have to keep
your receipt as a proof of
purchase or service and try
resolve the issue I a verbal or
written form.
If the provider refuses then
you order an expertise thn
decides which party has to
cover the costs.
When the vendor skips or
refuses to reform any of these
steps, consumer is entitled to
address the Consumer
Rights Protection Center

PRESCRIPTION TERM
For a consumer litigation general term of
prescription applies.
Consumer has a right to raise a claim about
commodity or service, which is not in
compliance with provisions of the contract,
during 2 years from the day of purchase of
commodity or receiving of service.

WHAT DO CONSUMERS DO WHEN

A CONSUMER RIGHT IS VIOLATED?

13

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

ATTENTION