Consumer Protection

Changes in the economic situation and public mentality, ever-increasing competition in retail and services and a great variety of (both high- and low-quality) products all lead to a need for regulation of relationships in the area of consumer protection.

The Consumer Protection Act adopted in 1992 changed the way we think about consumer rights. The main source of consumer protection law, the Act, in addition to the Russian Federal Civil Code, is still in effect with numerous changes. It mainly regulates the rights and duties of consumers (customers) and retailers and service providers in any industry, provided that:

5. the consumer is a natural person,
6. the consumer has purchased the goods for personal, not business use.

The consumer's principal rights with respect to products and services are the right to quality, safety and information. Under the Consumer Protection Act, the consumer can expect to be compensated for damage to property or losses resulting from defects in goods or services and claim damages for mental anguish regardless of the two (see Art. 15-16 of the Act).

There are several ways in which a consumer can protect his or her rights:

• complain directly to the retailer or provider;
• apply to a federal control body, such as the Federal Antitrust Committee or a local consumer protection department, a so-called "consumer protection committee;"
• resort to litigation (see Art. 17 of the Act).

Unfortunately, very few Russian manufacturers and retailers are fully conscious of their responsibility to customers. Despite the fact that Russian consumer law often takes the customer's side, only few customers dare stand up for their rights, not to mention litigation, demanding that flaws in products or services be rectified or compensated for.

Buying clothes from a street market or an upscale boutique, grabbing a sandwich in a snack bar or dining in a deluxe restaurant, you must know that you should get good quality for your money according to the law.

We are ready to protect any consumer and you will always be right!