Consumer Protection


 

 

 

Law No. 31-08 enacting consumer protection measures completes the existing legal framework of consumer protection and sets up an enabling framework for the promotion of the role of consumer protection associations.

 

 

 

Objectives of the law

  • Ensure that consumers have access to clear, objective and fair information with respect to prices, labelling, conditions of sale;
  • Strengthen the protection of consumers’ economic interests (prohibition or regulation of certain business practices);
  • Rebalancing the consumer-supplier relationships: prohibition of unfair terms, guarantees, credit;
  • Strengthen the consumer movement by allowing consumer protection associations to be recognized as of public utility and give them power to engage in legal proceedings.

The right granted to consumers

  • The right to information: provide the consumer with all necessary information prior to the conclusion of a sales contract;
  • The right to choose: The right to free choice according to the needs and the means of the consumer;
  • The right of withdrawal: allow consumers, in certain cases, a withdrawal period of 7 days.
  • The right to be listened to and be represented: allow the consumer, in case of a litigation with a supplier, to be counselled, oriented and represented by a consumer protection association;
  • The right to be listened to and be represented: allow the consumer, in case of a litigation with a supplier, to be counselled, oriented and represented by a consumer protection association;
  • The right to protection of economic interests: regulation of certain business practices such as promotional advertising, sales with bonuses, sales, lotteries, distance selling, etc.

Enforcement of law n° 31-08

In order to enforce the law and its implementing regulations, the department has a qualified and sworn body of investigators present at the 29 provincial delegations.

These investigators are responsible for conducting inspections to search and find infringements of the provisions of Law No. 31-08 in the area of trade and industry, especially in terms of business practices.

The department also has a control unit for merchant websites, responsible for checking the compliance of advertisements under the provisions of Law No. 31-08.

Information and orientation of consumers

The Ministry has set up a website www.khidmat-almostahlik.ma dedicated to the consumer advertising consumer protection-related information (rules, events, fact sheets, etc.) and enabling consumers to make requests, ask for information or report facts likely to fall under the provisions of Law No. 31-08 (complaints).

Similarly, the Department organizes every year the national days of the consumer in commemoration of World Consumer Day, celebrated on 15 March.

This event became an can’t-miss occasion for all players in the consumption field. It takes place in several cities of the Kingdom in collaboration with stakeholders including Consumer Protection Associations and the ministerial departments concerned with the enforcement of law No. 31-08.

8th edition of national consumer days

Support to the consumers’ right movement

Consumer protection federations are awarded grants to finance projects with the aim of promoting the consumers’ right movement (equipment of counselling counters, training, awareness and consumer information, publishing of communication media, web sites development, etc.).