The Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on Guidelines for Online Businesses Reiterating the Laws and Regulations Applicable to Online Businesses and Consumers was formulated as a reminder to all online business of existing laws. Rules and regulations on the sale, distribution production, importation, distribution, marketing, sale or transport of products and services.
The JAO is intended to increase consumer confidence in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce transactions by ensuring that e-commerce platforms, online retailers (e-retailers), and merchants selling in platforms / social media marketplaces are properly guided about the rules, regulations, and responsibilities in the conduct of their online business.
It considers the need to protect consumers against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices, and reminds online consumers of their rights and the mechanisms for redress.
Lastly, it provides that all government agencies concerned such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the National Privacy Commission (NPC), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall jointly coordinate in monitoring and enforcement.
Deadline of Submission: All inputs and comments on the draft Guidelines should be in writing and must be received by 15 October 2021.
Comments may be submitted to: ecommerce@dti.gov.ph. Please include “Comments on proposed JAO on Guidelines for Online Businesses” in the subject line and the full body of your comments in the text of the electronic message and as an attachment. Kindly include your name, title, organization, address, and contact details (telephone number and e-mail).
For further information, contact Ms. Ara Cho and /or Ms. Karla Santos of the e-Commerce Division, through ecommerce@dti.gov.ph / jarienillcho@dti.gov.ph
You may access the draft Guidelines below:
DRAFT Joint Administrative Order: Guidelines for Online Businesses Reiterating the Laws and Regulations Applicable to Online Businesses and Consumers
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Date of Release: 1 October 2021