Article 4 of the Saudi Consumer Protection Association Statute
المادة 4 من تنظيم جمعية حماية المستهلك
The Article sets out the Association's objectives: caring for consumers' interests and defending their rights, protecting them from fraud, counterfeiting, deception and price gouging, and spreading consumer awareness.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تهدف الجمعية إلى العناية بشؤون المستهلك ورعاية مصالحه والمحافظة على حقوقه والدفاع عنها، وتبني قضاياه لدى الجهات العامة والخاصة، وحمايته من جميع أنواع الغش والتقليد والاحتيال والخداع والتدليس في جميع السلع والخدمات والمبالغة في رفع أسعارهما، ونشر الوعي الاستهلاكي لدى المستهلك، وتبصيره بسبل ترشيد الاستهلاك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 4 explained in plain English
This Article sets out the purpose for which the Consumer Protection Association was established. Its objectives fall into three groups:
1. Caring for and defending consumers:
- Looking after consumers' affairs, caring for their interests, safeguarding their rights and defending them.
- Taking up their cases before public and private bodies.
2. Protection from harmful practices in all goods and services, including:
- Fraud and counterfeiting.
- Cheating, deception and misrepresentation.
- Excessive price increases for goods and services.
3. Awareness: spreading consumer awareness and informing consumers about ways to rationalize consumption.
This Article only sets the objectives. The means by which the Association pursues them are detailed in Article 5, including receiving consumer complaints about cheating, fraud, misrepresentation, price gouging and misleading advertising, referring them to the competent authorities and following them up, and supporting the government bodies concerned with consumer protection.
Note that the Article does not give the Association power to impose penalties on violators; under Article 5 its role is to refer matters to the competent authorities and follow them up. Anyone harmed by fraud or cheating who wishes to claim their rights should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in consumer protection and commercial cases.
Practical example
Noura bought an electrical appliance from a store in Dammam, then discovered it was a counterfeit even though it was sold as genuine. Protecting consumers from counterfeiting and deception is one of the Association's objectives under this Article, and Noura can submit her complaint to the Association, which receives such complaints, refers them to the competent authorities and follows them up under Article 5.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 4 of the Saudi Consumer Protection Association Statute
What are the objectives of the Consumer Protection Association?
Caring for consumers' affairs, defending their rights and taking up their cases; protecting them from cheating, counterfeiting, fraud, deception, misrepresentation and excessive prices; and spreading consumer awareness and rational consumption.
Does the Association protect consumers from price increases?
Yes. One of its objectives is to protect consumers from excessive price increases for goods and services.
Does the Association take up consumers' cases?
Yes. One of its objectives is to take up consumers' cases before public and private bodies.
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The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.