(ECNS) -- China has started soliciting public opinion on a draft amendment that gives e-commerce sites leeway on the 7-day unconditional return policy, originally designed to better improve consumer rights protection.
A notice posted on the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said the return policy may not apply to cell phone, computer, and other digital products that have been activated or tired out by consumers and accordingly suffer significant loss from devaluation.
China started to enforce the amended Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests in 2014, establishing the unconditional return of goods for a refund within seven days of online transactions.
The new law has played an active role in improving the e-commerce environment, but problems have also emerged, according to SAIC. Detailed requirements, including procedures of returning goods and scope of goods, need to be specified.
SAIC proposed to amend the 7-day unconditional return policy and specify certain products, including food, medicine, cosmetics and electronic gadgets, to not follow the rule rigidly.
SAIC also emphasized in the proposal that consumers must confirm to waive their 7-day unconditional return rights upon purchase.
Some legislators in the past said such regulations should be improved to prevent customers from abusing their rights and mitigate the impact on e-commerce sellers.
