On 10 November 2022, the President of the Republic received for signature an amendment to the legislation on consumer protection (the “Amendment“), which was discussed by both chambers of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. It will result in amendments to Act No. 634/1992 Coll., on Consumer Protection and related provisions of Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code.
The Amendment aims to remedy the previous insufficient transposition of the European Directives, whereby consumer protection against unfair commercial practices is to be improved in general terms. The amendment also concerns the simplification and streamlining of the enforcement of obligations imposed on businesses. At the same time, it sets clear rules on the competitive environment for entrepreneurs.
More specifically, the Amendment introduces, among other things, the regulation of quality guarantees, rights of defective performance and withdrawal from contracts. Changes will be made in relation to the conclusion of contracts by telephone, where contracts concluded in this way will only be valid when the seller sends the buyer the text of the contract in text form and the buyer signs it or sends the seller his consent to it electronically. There is also a modification of the entrepreneur’s obligations regarding product pricing and reviews. Last but not least, the Amendment affects online shopping and the regulation of unsolicited commercial communications.