Government issues draft rules to make e-commerce more accountable

NEW DELHI: The government has introduced draft guidelines for e-commerce platforms, mandating self-regulation measures to safeguard consumers from fraudulent practices in India’s rapidly expanding digital shopping sector. Titled "E-commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance", the draft guidelines were prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the supervision of the Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry, seeking stakeholder comments by February 15.

Platforms are also required to conduct seller reviews periodically to maintain the accuracy of the listing. All consumer reviews and ratings must comply with IS 19000:2022 standards for online consumer reviews, covering collection, moderation, and publication processes. Additionally, the guidelines emphasize strict compliance for data protection across all e-commerce platforms.