The Libyan government has introduced new regulations for e-commerce, aiming to create a clearer framework for online business activities. The regulations target companies, platforms, and online stores, including those operating through social media platforms. The new rules require online stores to register with the relevant authorities and obtain the necessary permits to operate.
The new regulations apply to various forms of online commercial activities, including specialized companies and platforms, as well as individual-run online stores through social media. The regulations aim to organize and monitor e-commerce activities, linking them to official permits and controls. The Libyan Ministry of Economy's Trade Network has called on companies, platforms, and online stores to regularize their situations and register on the e-commerce platform.
The regulations include conditions for individual-run online stores, requiring owners to be Libyan or resident in the country, at least 18 years old, and possess a valid identity, local phone number, and permanent address. The regulations also grant the competent authorities the power to determine registration fees, subscriptions, and e-commerce operation permits.
The new rules include controls on commercial names, goods, and services offered through online stores, prohibiting the use of certain names with religious, political, or sectarian connotations. The regulations also ban the use of symbols with racist or religious overtones in products offered through online stores.
Online stores are required to have a clear policy for handling damaged or non-compliant goods, outlining return and refund procedures, and addressing consumer complaints. The regulations also require disclosure of product shelf life, enabling consumers to access essential information before making a purchase.
The regulations establish a framework for addressing e-commerce-related violations, with a specialized committee reviewing infractions and referring acts that may constitute crimes to the relevant authorities. This means that online commercial activities will be subject to various requirements, including registration, identity verification, product controls, and consumer protection.
The new regulations reflect the growing use of the internet and social media for selling goods and services in Libya, with many online stores operating directly through social media pages and accounts. The regulations aim to create more specific controls for e-commerce, organizing relationships between store owners, consumers, and authorities, and defining legal responsibilities in case of violations.
Key points
- Libya introduces mandatory registration for online stores and new controls to regulate e-commerce activities.
