Article 16 of the Saudi E-Commerce Law
المادة 16 من نظام التجارة الإلكترونية
The article makes the Ministry the supervisor of the e-commerce sector and lets it issue the rules needed to regulate it, including authentication bodies and intermediary platforms.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تشرف الوزارة على قطاع التجارة الإلكترونية، وتصدر -بحسب الحاجة- القواعد اللازمة لتنظيمه بما يعزز دور التجارة الإلكترونية ويحمي سلامة التعاملات بها، ويشمل ذلك تنظيم ما يأتي:
أ- جهات توثيق المحلات الإلكترونية.
ب- المنصات الإلكترونية التي تؤدي دور الوساطة بين موفر الخدمة والمستهلك.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article identifies the body responsible for the e-commerce sector: the Ministry.
The article gives it two powers:
- Supervision of the e-commerce sector.
- Issuing the rules needed to regulate it, as needed.
The article states the purpose of these rules: to strengthen the role of e-commerce and protect the integrity of dealings in it. It therefore combines encouraging the sector with protecting those who deal in it.
The article expressly states that this regulation includes:
- Online-store authentication bodies.
- Electronic platforms that act as intermediaries between the service provider and the consumer, such as platforms where several sellers list their products.
The article does not state the content of these rules; the Ministry issues them as needed. Anyone who works in authentication or runs an intermediary platform should follow the rules the Ministry issues on this subject.
This power sits alongside other obligations in the law, such as the merchant's obligation in Article 15 to register its online store in the commercial register. Anyone who needs to know which rules apply to their activity can consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases.
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 16 of the Saudi E-Commerce Law
Which body supervises e-commerce in Saudi Arabia?
The Ministry supervises the e-commerce sector and issues, as needed, the rules required to regulate it.
Are electronic intermediary platforms subject to regulation?
Yes. The article states that the Ministry's power to issue rules includes regulating electronic platforms that act as intermediaries between the service provider and the consumer.
What is the purpose of the rules the Ministry issues?
To strengthen the role of e-commerce and protect the integrity of dealings in it.
More articles on Scope of the E-Commerce Law and Ministry Oversight
- Article 1
The Article defines the key terms in the E-Commerce Law, such as merchant, practitioner, service provider, consumer, e-store and electronic advertisement.
لأغراض تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام، يقصد بالكلمات والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق غير ذلك: النظام: نظام التج
- Article 2
The Article sets who is subject to the E-Commerce Law: the service provider inside the Kingdom, the practitioner outside it who makes products or services available to consumers inside it, and the consumer.
تسري أحكام النظام على كلٍّ ممن يأتي: أ- موفر الخدمة داخل المملكة. ب- الممارس خارج المملكة الذي يقدم منتجات أو خدمات داخل المملكة من خلال عرضها بطريقة تمكن المست
- Article 3
The Article sets the service provider's place of business: the merchant's commercial register address, and the place specified in the e-store for the practitioner, with rules for multiple places and for none.
1- يقصد بمقر عمل موفر الخدمة لأغراض تطبيق أحكام النظام ما يأتي: أ- بالنسبة إلى التاجر، يكون مقر عمله عنوانه المحدد في سجله التجاري. ب- بالنسبة إلى الممارس، يكون
- Article 24
The article provides that whatever has no specific provision in the E-Commerce Law is governed by the Electronic Transactions Law and other relevant laws.
فيما لم يرد في شأنه نص خاص في النظام، تسري على التجارة الإلكترونية أحكام نظام التعاملات الإلكترونية والأنظمة الأخرى ذات الصلة.
- Article 25
The article requires the Minister to issue the Implementing Regulations within 90 days of the law's publication in the Official Gazette, to take effect from the date the law takes effect.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة خلال (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ نشر النظام في الجريدة الرسمية, ويعمل بها من تاريخ العمل به.
- Article 26
The article provides that the E-Commerce Law takes effect after 90 days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بالنظام بعد مضي (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.