Article 5 of the Saudi Consumer Protection Association Statute
المادة 5 من تنظيم جمعية حماية المستهلك
The Article lists the Association's functions: receiving consumer complaints and referring them to the competent authorities, supporting government bodies, studies, awareness, proposing regulations and representing consumers.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للجمعية في سبيل تحقيق أهدافها القيام بما يأتي:
1 - تلقي شكاوى المستهلك، المتعلقة بالاحتيال والغش والتدليس والتلاعب في السلع أو الخدمات والمغالاة في أسعارهما، والتضليل عن طريق الإعلانات في الصحف وغيرها، ورفع ذلك إلى الجهات المختصة، ومتابعتها.
2 - مساندة جهود الجهات الحكومية المعنية بحماية المستهلك، وإبلاغ تلك الجهات بكل ما يمس حقوق المستهلك ومصالحه.
3 - إعداد الدراسات والبحوث، وعقد المؤتمرات والندوات والدورات، وإقامة المعارض ذات العلاقة بنشاط حماية المستهلك، ونشر نتائج تلك الدراسات والبحوث، وذلك وفقًا للأنظمة والتعليمات.
4 - توعية المستهلك بطرق ترشيد الاستهلاك وتقديم المعلومات والاستشارات الضرورية له.
5 - اقتراح الأنظمة ذات الصلة بحماية المستهلك وتطويرها.
6 - تمثيل المستهلك في اللجان والهيئات المحلية والدولية ذات العلاقة بحماية المستهلك، والتعاون معها والمشاركة في أنشطتها المتعلقة بأهدافها، وذلك وفق الإجراءات النظامية المتبعة.
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 5 explained in plain English
This Article sets out the activities the Association carries out to achieve its objectives in Article 4. There are six functions:
- Receiving complaints: it receives consumer complaints about fraud, cheating, misrepresentation, tampering with goods or services, price gouging, and misleading advertising in newspapers and elsewhere, then refers them to the competent authorities and follows them up.
- Supporting government bodies concerned with consumer protection, and informing them of anything affecting consumers' rights and interests.
- Studies and events: preparing studies and research, holding conferences, seminars and courses, organizing exhibitions, and publishing the results, in accordance with the regulations and instructions.
- Awareness: informing consumers about ways to rationalize consumption, and providing them with the necessary information and advice.
- Proposing regulations related to consumer protection, and developing them.
- Representation: representing consumers on the relevant local and international committees and bodies, cooperating with them, in accordance with the established legal procedures.
What does this mean for consumers? A consumer can bring a complaint to the Association, but according to the text its role is to refer matters to the competent authorities and follow them up, not to decide the dispute or impose a penalty itself. The Article does not specify how a complaint is submitted or any time limits for deciding it.
Anyone who wants to claim compensation for harm they suffered should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in consumer protection and commercial cases.
Practical example
Abdullah saw a newspaper advertisement for a car at a stated price, but when he went to the showroom in Jeddah he found the price much higher and conditions that had not been mentioned. He can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Association, because misleading advertising is among the complaints it receives; the Association refers it to the competent authority and follows it up.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCivil Litigation & Compensation lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Abdullah Al-Saleh Law Office for Law and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 5 of the Saudi Consumer Protection Association Statute
Does the Consumer Protection Association accept complaints?
Yes. It receives consumer complaints about fraud, cheating, misrepresentation, tampering, price gouging and misleading advertising, and refers them to the competent authorities and follows them up.
Does the Association penalize violating merchants itself?
The Article does not say so. Its role is to refer complaints to the competent authorities, follow them up, and inform government bodies of anything affecting consumers' rights.
Does the Association give consumers advice?
Yes. Providing the necessary information and advice to consumers and informing them about ways to rationalize consumption is one of its functions.
More articles on Objectives and Jurisdiction of the Association
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.