The following concepts are used in this Law:

consumer — a citizen (physical person) who buys goods, orders to perform works or provide services for personal consumption or other purpose, not connected with profit or a citizen who has this intention;

manufacturer — an enterprise, organization, institution, sole proprietor, or self-employed person that manufactures goods for sale to consumers;

executor — an enterprise, organization, institution, sole proprietor, or self-employed person that performs work or provides services to a consumer under a contract in the fields of household services, housing and communal services, repair and construction, transportation services, and other service sectors;

seller — an enterprise, organization, institution, sole proprietor, or self-employed person that sells goods to a consumer under a sales contract;

contract — a verbal or written agreement between a consumer and a seller (manufacturer, executor) on quality, quantity, term, price and other terms in realization of sale and purchase of goods, performing works or providing services;

goods — the outcome of manufacturing activity, intended for sale on the contract by consumer, including the outcome of import;

normative documents — normative documents in the field of technical regulation, as well as other documents (urban planning norms and rules, the State Pharmacopoeia and pharmacopoeial monographs), technical specifications, formulations, and other documents containing mandatory requirements relating to the quality and safety of goods (works, services).

security of goods (work, service) — an absence of danger connected with the possibility of damage to consumer's life, health or property and environment in the ordinary conditions of consumption, use, storage, transportation or utilization of goods, as well as in the ordinary conditions of the use of results of work or service;

certificate of conformity — a document certifying conformity of the certified product to the established requirements;

defect of goods (work, service) — non-compliance of goods (work, service) with compulsory requirements of normative documents, terms of contract or typical requirements for quality of goods (work, service);

a serious defect in goods (work, service) — a deficiency that makes goods (work, service) inaccessible for defined purpose, or requires a lot of work and time to eliminate;

warranty period — the established regulatory period (in months) or in the form of operating time (in hours, cycles of operation, kilometers, etc.), during which the manufacturer (executor) guarantees and ensures that the requirements for the quality of goods (services) stipulated by regulatory documents are met) when fulfilling the operating rules;

service period — is a fixed period for the use of goods, which should be terminated to use it regardless of the technical condition of goods;

period of validity (storage) — is a specific period during which product is usable and after this period product can endanger peoplesʼ life and health;

cash checks — a document confirming the purchase of goods or payment of work (service), indicated the price of goods (work, service), the date of payment and the number of cash desk;

a check — a document confirming the purchase of the goods or payment of work (service), indicated the price of the goods (works, services), the date of payment and the name and address of the seller.

withdrawal of goods (work, service) from a consumer — any measure which is carried out by manufacturer (executor, seller) oriented to take goods (work, service) back that are not in compliance with the requirements of safety of goods (work, service) if the goods (work, service) have been converted into the consumer property or invited to it;

disposition of goods (work, service) — any measure, which is carried out by the manufacturer (executor, seller) oriented to end the offer to goods (work, service) and do not let that happen, on the goods (work, service), which does not meet the requirements of safety of goods (work, service);

The legislation on protection of consumer rights consists of this Law and other legislative acts.

Protection of consumer rights in the Republic of Karakalpakstan is regulated by the legislation of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Legislation may not restrict the rights of consumers established by this Law and reduce the safeguards of their protection.

If there is established other rules in international treaty or agreement participating in The Republic of Uzbekistan than those stipulated by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on protection of consumer rights, the rules of international treaty or agreement shall be applied.

Consumers have the following rights:

get accurate and complete information about goods (work, service), as well as the manufacturer (executor, seller);

to freely choose a good (work or service) and to demand that it be of proper quality;

to demand that a good (work or service) be safe;

to demand full compensation for material damage and moral harm caused by a good (work or service) having a defect that poses a danger to life, health, or property, as well as by the unlawful action (inaction) of the manufacturer (executor or seller);

to apply to court and other competent state bodies for the protection of violated rights or interests protected by law;

to form consumer public associations.

For certain groups of consumers included in the category of socially-vulnerable groups, benefits and preferences can be set by law for trade, household services and other types of rendering service.

Manufacturer must inform consumer of the name and (legal) address of his/her company. Such information should be indicated in a production sign or trade mark or presented in other way.

Seller (executor) is obliged to inform consumer about company name, its location (legal address) and the order of its business. This information should be reflected in the caption.

The information provided for in second part of this article shall be brought to the notice of consumer in the case of trade and service are held on temporary buildings, fairs, portable shops, or trade and service are carried out outside the permanent location of seller (executor).

Seller (executor) is obliged to provide to consumer with full information about the rules of commodity trade, household service and other kinds of service.

Information about the manufacturer (service provider, seller), as well as information on trade and service rules, shall be provided to the consumer in the state language. Such information may additionally be provided in other languages.

The manufacturer (service provider or seller) shall provide the consumer, in a timely manner, with the necessary, accurate, and comprehensible information about the goods (works or services) being sold or provided. Such information may be communicated to consumers through product labels, markings, technical documentation, or by any other means adopted for specific types of goods (works or services).

The information about the goods (works or services) shall include the following:

the name of the goods (works or services);

the name of the normative document with whose mandatory requirements the goods (work, service) must comply;

a list of specific features, including main features of goods (work, service);

the price (tariff) and the terms of purchase;

the date of manufacture of the good, where indication of the date of manufacture is required in accordance with normative legal acts or normative documents in the field of technical regulation;

the warranty obligations of the manufacturer (executor);

the rules and conditions for the effective and safe use of the good;

the service life (validity period) of the goods and the information on what tasks consumer should to do after the expiration date, as well as the consequences which may arise as a result of non-performance of such tasks;

the full name and location (legal address) of the manufacturer (executor or seller), the QR code (matrix barcode) of licenses and permit documents, and, in the case of imported goods, the name and location (legal address) of both the manufacturer and the importer;

the name of the country of origin of the good;

the addresses of the manufacturer (executor or seller), as well as of the enterprises authorized by them to accept claims from consumers and to carry out repairs and technical servicing;

the methods and rules for storage and safe disposal of goods;

information on the use of a phonogram during concert and entertainment events.

Information about performers and authors of works shall be indicated in the program of a concert and entertainment event.

Information about the product (work, service) shall be provided to the consumer in the state language. Such information may additionally be provided in other languages.

For products subject to mandatory technical regulation, the consumer shall be provided with relevant information confirming the product's compliance with the requirements of normative documents in the field of technical regulation.

The absence of the necessary information about a product (work or service) shall constitute grounds for suspending the sale of such product (work or service), upon the instruction of the relevant state administration authority, until the required information is provided.

If invalid or inadequate information about goods (works, service) result in:

purchase of goods (works, services) which do not have necessary consumer features, consumer has the right to cancel contract and demand compensation for damage caused to him/her;

inability to use the intended purpose from the purchased goods (work, services), the consumer has the right to request the information provided in a reasonable short (maximum three days) period. If the information is not submitted within the specified period, consumer has the right to cancel contract and demand damages;

damage to the life, health or property of consumer, he/she has the right to put forward requirements to manufacturer (executor, seller), stipulated by the legislation.

Requirements of consumer for compensation of damages caused by inadequate or inadequate information on goods (work, service) shall be considered on the basis of the description of features and nature of goods (work, service) on which consumer does not have special knowledge.

Damage to consumer caused by wrongful advertisement (work, service) shall be fully compensated by manufacturer (executor, seller).

The consumer has the right to freely purchase the goods (work, services) by concluding an agreement under which the seller (manufacturer, executor) agrees to transfer to the consumer the goods (perform work, providing service) in a certain quantity and quality, and the consumer agrees to pay the agreed money.

Exposed goods, decorated with a price tag, and information on goods (works, services) offered to visitors are recognized as an offer for concluding an appropriate contract.

The contract between the consumer and the manufacturer (executor, seller) is considered concluded when an agreement is reached between the parties on the subject of the contract, quantity, price and other essential conditions.

An agreement executed directly upon its conclusion, as a rule, is concluded orally, with the exception of cases established by law. An agreement that is not executed upon its conclusion (upon prior orders, upon parcel trade and in other cases) is concluded in written form.

The consumer has the right to check the quality, completeness, weight and price of the purchased goods (work, services), and the seller (manufacturer, executor) is obliged to provide control and measuring instruments, price documents, demonstrate it in action, teach safe and proper use, and if necessary — send the goods for examination.

The rules on certain types of sales contracts, as well as the rules for the sale of certain types of goods (works, services) are approved by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The form and procedure for payment for goods (work, services) are determined by agreement between the consumer and the seller (manufacturer, executor). The sale of goods on credit is carried out in the manner prescribed by the rules for the sale of goods on credit, approved by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

When making a sale, the consumer is issued a cash or sales receipt. Sale of goods without issuing a cash or sales receipt is prohibited.

(service provider) hall be prohibited from establishing different prices (tariffs), including artificially increasing or decreasing them, for the same brand (model, article) of goods, as well as for works or services of the same volume and quality, depending on the form of payment. Incentives may be provided to consumers when payment for goods (works or services) is made in a non-cash form.

The manufacturer (executor) must establish a warranty period for all types of durable goods and services. The warranty period is calculated from the day the product is sold to the consumer or the service is provided. If the date of sale of the goods cannot be established, this period shall be calculated from the date of manufacture of the goods.

The manufacturer (executor) is obliged to ensure the normal operation (application, use) of the goods (services), including components during the warranty period.

The warranty periods for components must be no less than the warranty period for the main product, unless otherwise provided by law.

The warranty period is indicated in the passport for the product (service) or in another document issued to the consumer with the product when it is sold or the service is provided.

The manufacturer is obliged to ensure the possibility of using the goods during the warranty period and its service life, to organize repair and maintenance of the goods, release and delivery to trade and repair organizations in the required volume and range of spare parts during the production period of the goods and after they are removed from production during the service life of the goods, and in the absence thereof, within ten years from the date of removal of the goods from production.

On medicines and medical devices, food products and household chemicals, the date of issue, expiration date and storage conditions must be indicated. Sellers are prohibited from accepting and selling goods without specifying the release date and expiration date or with an expired expiration date.

The consumer has the right to guarantee that the goods (work, service) he/she has purchased are manufactured or performed in compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements, including radiological, anti-epidemic and other applicable norms and rules, and is safe for his/her life, health, environment, and also does not harm his/her property.

Requirements for the safety of goods (work, services) for life, health, property of consumers and the environment are determined by law.

The manufacturer (executor) is obliged to ensure the safety of the goods (work, services) during the specified period of its service or expiration date, and if it is not established, within ten years from the date of sale of the goods (work) to the consumer.

For the release of goods (work, services) that pose a danger to life, health, property of consumers and the environment, in accordance with the legislation shall be responsible:

manufacturer (executor);

body that approved the regulatory documentation;

body issued the certificate of conformity;

health protection, ecology and environmental protection, veterinary services or other bodies that authorized the release or sale of dangerous goods (work, services).

Damage caused to the life, health or property of the consumer as a result of the failure to ensure the safety of the goods (work, service) shall be compensated in accordance with article 20 of this Law.

If compliance with special rules is necessary for the safe use of the goods (work, services) or their transportation and storage, the manufacturer (executor) is required to develop such rules, the seller (executor) must disseminate them to the attention of the consumer.

If it is detected that the use, storage, transportation or disposal of goods, the results of work (services) cause or may cause harm to life, health, property of the consumer or the environment, the manufacturer (executor, seller) is obliged to immediately suspend their production (performance, sale) until eliminate the causes of harm, take measures to remove them from circulation and to withdraw from consumers.

If it is impossible to eliminate the causes of harm, the manufacturer (executor, seller) is obliged to remove such goods from production, to stop performing work and providing services, while medical, food and household chemicals must be disposed of by the seller or manufacturer. If seller or manufacturer (executor) does not fulfill these obligations, the removal of goods from production, the cessation of performing work and providing services, their withdrawal from circulation and from consumers is carried out by order of government bodies that control the safety and quality of goods (work, services).

The procedure for withdrawing from the circulation of consignments of goods, prohibition of performing work and providing services that are dangerous to life, health and property of the consumer and the environment, is established by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Damages caused to the consumer in connection with the withdrawal of the goods, the prohibition of the performance of work and providing services are subject to compensation by the manufacturer (executor, seller) in full.

If the manufacturer (seller) has taken all necessary measures to withdraw the goods with dangerous features, he/she is exempt from liability for harm caused by the fact that the consumer continued to use the specified goods.

Under a sales contract, the seller shall deliver the goods to the consumer within the time limit(s) specified in the contract.

Delivery of the goods shall be carried out by the seller through handing over the goods to the consumer or to a person designated by the consumer in accordance with the sales contract.

If the seller fails to fulfill the obligation to deliver the goods within the time limit(s) specified in the sales contract, the seller shall pay the consumer a penalty in the amount of 0.5 percent of the unfulfilled part of the obligation for each unit of delay (minute, hour, or day specified in the contract). However, the total amount of the penalty shall not exceed the value of the undelivered goods. Payment of the penalty shall not release the seller from compensating the consumer for losses caused by the violation of the obligation to deliver the goods within the time limit(s) specified in the sales contract.

Payment by the seller of the penalty provided for in part three of this Article and compensation for losses shall not release the seller from the obligation to perform the obligation in kind.

When concluding a sales contract and establishing trading rules, the amount of the penalty may not be set at a level lower than that provided for in part three of this Article.

A consumer to whom goods with defects are sold, if this was not agreed upon at the conclusion of the contract, has the right, at his/her choice, to demand:

replacement of a good quality product of a similar brand (model);

replacements for the same product of another brand (model) with the corresponding recalculation of the purchase price;

freely elimination of defects in goods or replacement of expenses for correction of defects by a consumer or a third party;

a commensurate reduction in the purchase price;

cancellation of the contract with compensation for losses incurred.

The consumer may apply these rights if defects are discovered during:

warranty period or expiration date of the goods;

six months for goods for which warranty periods and expiration date have not been established;

two years from the date of transfer of real estate to the consumer, if longer periods are not provided for by contract;

the period established by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for seasonal goods.

If a consumer detects defects in products sold to him/her, which are included as independent elements in sets, headsets, kits, complexes and having independent prices, he/she is entitled to present the requirements provided for in part one of this article, both with regard to the entire set, headset, set, complex, and self-contained elements having disadvantages.

The requirements set forth in the first part of this article are presented by the consumer to the seller.

The consumerʼs claims shall be considered upon presentation of a cash receipt, sales receipt, or other document (evidence) confirming the purchase, and, in the case of goods for which a warranty period has been established, a duly completed technical passport or another document substituting for it.

Defects found in the product are eliminated by the manufacturer. The relationship between the manufacturer and the seller is regulated by the contract.

If the consumer loses the technical passport, its restoration is carried out in accordance with law.

If a consumer detects manufacturing, structural, compositional or other defects in a product, the seller (manufacturer) must replace it with a product of a similar brand (model) within seven days, and if necessary, an additional check by the seller (manufacturer) of the quality of the goods - within twenty days from the moment the customer makes a claim.

In the absence of goods of a similar brand (model), the consumer's demand for a replacement is subject to satisfaction within a month from the date of the claim. For desert and remote areas, areas of periodic delivery, such requirement of the consumer is subject to satisfaction by the time required for the next delivery of goods to these areas, but not more than two months.

For each day of violation of these terms, the seller (manufacturer) pays to the consumer at the same time as the replacement of the replaced product the penalty (surcharge) in the amount of one percent of the price of the goods.

With the consent of the consumer, the seller is obliged to replace goods with defects with the same goods of another brand (model) with the corresponding recalculation of the purchase price.

Defects found in the product during the warranty period must be eliminated free of charge by the seller within twenty days, and by the manufacturer within ten days from the date of the relevant demand by the consumer.

The consumer has the right to present to the manufacturer a demand for the free elimination of defects in the goods after the warranty period. Such requirement can be presented within the established service life, and if the service life is not established - within ten years, if the product revealed significant defects made through the fault of the manufacturer.

At the request of the consumer for the period of repair of durable goods, within three days after the presentation of the goods with defects, they are provided (with delivery by the seller or his/her representative at the expense of the seller) goods of the same brand (model). The manufacturer together with the seller on a contractual basis are required to provide for this an exchange fund of goods. The list of durable goods to which these requirements do not apply is established by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In the case of a requirement to eliminate defects in the product, the warranty period of its operation is extended by the time during which the product could not be used by the consumer. The indicated time is calculated from the date of the consumerʼs request to eliminate the defects.

The seller (manufacturer) pays the consumer a penalty (surcharge) in the amount of one percent of the price of the goods for each day of delay in fulfilling the buyer's demand for the provision of similar goods for the period of repair, as well as for each day of delay in eliminating defects beyond the time period arising from the contract.

If the seller (manufacturer) has not complied with the consumerʼs requirements to replace the product or eliminate defects in it, the consumer has the right to demand a commensurate reduction in the purchase price of the goods or termination of the contract with compensation for losses and moral damage in accordance with articles 20 and 22 of this Law.

When replacing goods with defects with goods of the same brand (model) in the event of a change in price, recalculation is not performed.

When replacing goods with defects with goods of another brand (model) if the price of the goods to be replaced is lower than the price of the goods provided in exchange, the consumer must pay the difference in prices, and in the case where the price of the goods to be replaced is higher prices of goods provided in exchange - the difference in prices is paid to the consumer. In these calculations, in case of an increase in the price of the goods to be replaced, its price is applied at the time of the presentation of the demand, in the case of a decrease in the price - at the time of purchase.

Upon termination of the contract, settlements with the consumer are made in case of an increase in the price of the goods based on its value at the time of the presentation of the relevant demand, and in the case of a decrease in the price based on the value of the goods at the time of purchase.

Where a contract for the sale of goods on credit is terminated and the goods are returned, the amount paid by the consumer under the contract prior to the return of the goods shall be refunded to the consumer. In addition, all expenses directly related to obtaining the credit, as well as the amount of interest accrued on the credit, shall be reimbursed.

Unless otherwise provided by agreement of the parties, the refund of the amount paid by the consumer shall be made in the same form in which payment for the goods was originally made.

Big scale goods and goods weighing more than five kilograms are delivered for repair, reduction price, replacement, and return to the consumer by the forces and at the expense of the seller (manufacturer). In case of failure to fulfill this obligation, delivery and return of goods may be carried out by the consumer. In this case, the seller (manufacturer) is obliged to replace the consumer for the costs associated with the delivery and return of the goods.

The consumer has the right within ten days from the date of purchase to exchange non-food goods of acceptable quality for the same from the seller where he/she was purchased, and in the absence of such goods on sale - to receive money.

If the product has not been used, is not damaged, is returned together with its packaging, has retained its consumer properties, and there is proof that it was purchased from the given seller, the consumerʼs request for replacement or return of the product shall be satisfied.

Unless otherwise provided by agreement of the parties, the refund of the amount paid by the consumer shall be made in the same form in which payment for the goods was originally made.

The exchange procedure and the list of goods not subject to exchange are determined by the rules approved by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Executor is obliged to complete the work (to provide the service) in time, amount and quality established by the rules for the execution of certain types of work (provision of certain types of services) or the contract.

The time period for the performance of work (provision of the service) may be determined by the date (time period) by which the work (service) must be performed (provided), as well as by the date (time period) when the executor must begin its performance (provision). If the work (service) is performed (is provided) in parts (delivery of periodicals, maintenance and others) during the term of the contract, phased periods (time periods) of the work (provision of services) should be provided.

The consumer has the right to withdraw from the contract on the performance of work, the provision of the service and demand compensation for losses if the executor does not start timely execution of the contract or it becomes obvious that it will not be completed on time.

If the executor made a significant departure from the terms of the contract that worsened the work (service), or made other significant shortcomings in the work (service), the consumer has the right to demand the free elimination of shortcomings, the corresponding reduction in the price of the work (service), the free manufacture of another thing from homogeneous material of the same quality or re-execution of work, or termination of the contract for the full compensation of losses incurred.

The rights specified in the fourth part of this article, the consumer can exercise:

if shortcomings are detected during the acceptance of the work (service) or during its implementation;

during the warranty period, and in its absence within six months from the date of acceptance of the work (service);

within two years from the date of detection of shortcomings in the structure or other real estate.

The deadlines for the elimination of shortcomings detected during the course of the work (provision of the service) are established by the contract. Shortcomings in the work performed (the service rendered) must be eliminated by the contractor within twenty days from the date the customer submits the claim, unless a shorter period is established by the contract. In case of failure to eliminate shortcomings within the prescribed period, as well as delays in the beginning and end of the work (service), the executor pays the consumer a penalty (surcharge) in the amount of one percent of the cost of the work (service) or the cost of the order (if the cost of the work (service) is not separately determined) for each day of delay, hour (if the period is specified in hours).

The amount of the penalty (surcharge) collected by the consumer cannot exceed the price of a particular type of work (service) or the total price of the order.

The payment by the executor of a penalty (surcharge) for the delay in eliminating shortcomings in the work performed shall not be counted against the losses to be compensated.

The payment by the executor of the penalty (surcharge) for non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of the obligation and compensation for losses do not exempt him/her from the performance of obligations in its original form.

In case of loss, damage to the thing (material) accepted from the consumer or work performed from the consumerʼs material with significant shortcomings or deviations, the executor is obliged to return to the consumer a thing of similar quality (to perform work or provide a service from material of similar quality), and if it is impossible, to compensate him/her twice the value of the thing (material) at the time of the presentation of the claim.

The cost of the thing (material) accepted by the executor for the performance of work and the provision of services is determined by agreement of the parties when concluding the contract.

Settlements with the consumer in the presence of significant defects or significant deviations from the terms of the contract in the work (service), as well as in the case of loss, damage to the thing (material), are made taking into account the increase in their price at the time of termination of the contract.

The executor shall be liable for harm caused to the consumer by poor-quality work (service) in accordance with articles 20 , 22 , 27 , 29 of this Law.

Features of the relationship between consumers and contractors under contracts for the performance of work and the provision of services that by their nature are not subject to this article, as well as the consequences of failure to perform or improper performance thereof, are determined by the rules on certain types of these contracts established by law.

Damage caused to the life, health or property of the consumer as a result of constructive, production, composition and other defects of the goods (work, services), as well as the use of materials, equipment, devices, tools, devices or other means that do not ensure the safety of the life, health or property of the consumer, subject to compensation by the seller (manufacturer, executor).

If damage is caused to the life or health of a consumer as a result of a violation of conformity assessment rules, the conformity assessment body shall bear joint and several liability together with the seller (manufacturer or executor) for compensation of the damage caused.

The right to demand compensation for damage caused as a result of defects in the goods (work, service) is recognized by any victim, regardless of whether he/she was in a contractual relationship with the seller (manufacturer, executor) or not.

Damage caused to the life, health or property of the consumer shall be compensated if it occurs within the service life (expiration date) stipulated by regulatory documents, and if it is not installed, within ten years from the date of manufacture of the goods (acceptance of work, service).

The seller (manufacturer, executor) is exempted from liability if he/she proves that the damage was caused due to force majeure or violation by the consumer of the established rules for use, storage or transportation.

Where it is confirmed that goods (works or services) contain defects or do not comply with the requirements of normative documents, the seller (manufacturer or service provider) shall fully reimburse the consumer, or the authorized state bodies for consumer protection that conducted the inspection (testing or expert examination), for all expenses related to the inspection, testing, or expert examination of the goods (works or services).

The terms of the contract, which infringe the consumerʼs rights and contradict the law, are recognized as invalid. If losses are incurred as a result of their application to the consumer, they are subject to compensation by the manufacturer (executor, seller).

The seller (executor) does not have the right to demand on the purchase by the consumer of additional goods or the provision of additional services, as well as to charge for non-provided services.

It shall be prohibited to include in a contract terms that diminish the rights of consumers provided for by legislation, as well as to deny consumers the privileges and advantages established by legislation.

Moral damage caused to the consumer as a result of violation of his/her rights shall be compensated by the inflicter of harm if he/she is guilty. The amount of compensation for moral damage is determined by the court.

Compensation for moral damage is carried out regardless of compensation for property damage and losses incurred by the consumer.

The state guarantees consumers the protection of their rights and interests protected by law when purchasing and using goods (work, services).

State protection of consumer rights is provided by public bodies and administration, as well as courts.

In contractual relations with a seller (manufacturer or service provider), the consumer shall have a priority right to the satisfaction of his or her claims as provided for by legislation.

The following shall be the specially authorized state bodies for the protection of consumer rights: the Consumer Protection Agency under the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the Uzbekistan Technical Regulation Agency; the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

To protect consumers' rights, local authorities:

organize the implementation of legislation in the field of consumer protection;

interact with authorized state bodies for the protection of consumer rights and public associations of consumers;

consider complaints, applications and recommendations of consumers;

shall review consumersʼ complaints, applications, and proposals;

exercise other powers within their competence.

The Consumer Protection Agency under the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its territorial bodies shall, within their powers, for the purpose of protecting consumer rights:

ensure the development and implementation of a unified state policy in the field of consumer protection;

coordinate the activities of state bodies and organizations in the field of consumer protection;

cooperate with civil society institutions and other organizations in the field of consumer protection;

organize control purchases of goods (works and services) and, jointly with authorized state bodies in the field of technical regulation, arrange their examination (testing);

conduct inspections of business entities (without interfering in their financial and economic activities) where there are facts indicating violations of consumer protection legislation;

assess the regulatory impact of draft normative legal acts, as well as adopted normative legal acts, on consumers;

exercise state control over compliance with consumer protection legislation;

provide official explanations on issues related to the application of consumer protection legislation;

request necessary documents, explanations, and other information from manufacturers (service providers and sellers) where signs of violations of consumer protection legislation are identified;

issue instructions to manufacturers (service providers and sellers) requiring the elimination of deficiencies that infringe consumer rights;

facilitate the pre-trial settlement of disputes related to violations of consumer rights;

participate in court hearings as experts on matters concerning consumer protection in accordance with the established procedure;

have the right to apply to a court in defense of the rights of consumers (including an indefinite group of consumers);

exercise other powers in accordance with legislation.

For the purpose of ensuring the safety and quality of goods (works and services), the Uzbekistan Technical Regulation Agency, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and other state administration bodies exercising control over the safety and quality of goods (works and services) shall, within their respective powers:

establish mandatory requirements for the safety and quality of goods (works, services) and monitor compliance with these requirements;

send instructions to manufacturers (executors, sellers) on eliminating violations of the requirements for safety and quality of goods (works, services), discontinuing production, stopping the production and sale of substandard goods (works, services), withdrawal them from consumers, and also inform consumers about this;

shall file claims with the courts against manufacturers (executors or sellers) in cases where they violate the requirements relating to the safety and quality of goods (works or services).

The activities of state governance bodies that monitor the safety and quality of goods (works, services) are coordinated by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The manufacturer (executor, seller) is responsible for violations of consumer protection laws.

Officials of the manufacturer (executor or seller), as well as sole proprietors and self-employed persons, shall be held administratively liable for accepting for sale and selling goods for which the indication of the date of manufacture and expiry date is required by law without such information being indicated; for accepting for sale and selling goods with expired shelf life; for evading compliance with, failing to comply with in a timely manner, or improperly complying with instructions to eliminate violations of consumersʼ rights; for failing to provide consumers with information about goods (works or services) or knowingly providing false information; for violating the rules of mandatory certification of goods (works or services); and for causing harm to consumers as a result of goods (works or services) that do not comply with the requirements of normative documents.

The application of administrative penalties does not exempt manufacturers (executor, sellers) from the obligation to eliminate violations.

Officials of government bodies that exercise control over the safety and quality of goods (works, services), in case of damage to consumers with goods (works, services) that do not meet the requirements for the safety of goods (works, services), are liable in accordance with legislation.

The manufacturer (executor, seller) has the right to appeal the instruction of the state body directly to the court or to a higher subordinate body or official.

An appeal of the instruction of state body to a higher subordinate body or official does not exclude the right to appeal to court.

An appeal to court of the instruction of state body shall suspend its execution, until a court decision comes into force, with the exception of instructions related to the prevention of emergencies, epidemics, and other real threats to the life and health of the population.

A provider of financial services shall insure its liability in order to satisfy consumersʼ claims in the event of its liquidation or insolvency.

The financial services executor is obliged to provide the consumer with information about the existence of an insurance contract for the liability of the executor for damage to the consumer.

Goods (works and services) may be sold through information systems based on samples and/or descriptions thereof.

When selling goods (works and services) under a contract concluded through information systems, the seller (manufacturer or service provider) shall, prior to the conclusion of the contract, provide the consumer, in the state language or in another language agreed upon by the parties, with the following information:

the name and address of the seller (service provider) and the procedure for submitting complaints;

the full name and location (legal address) of the manufacturer (service provider or seller), and for imported goods, the name and location (legal address) of both the manufacturer and the importer;

the main consumer characteristics and specific features of the goods (works and services);

the QR code (matrix barcode) of licenses and permit documents;

the price of the goods (works and services), delivery costs, and payment terms;

the warranty obligations of the manufacturer (service provider), conditions for repair of the goods, as well as services related to their maintenance;

other terms for the performance of the contract;

the minimum term of validity of the contract, where periodic delivery of goods, provision of services, or performance of works is envisaged;

the period for acceptance of offers to conclude the relevant contract;

the procedure for termination of the contract.

Upon termination of a contract concluded through information systems, the seller (service provider) shall inform the consumer of the place where the goods are to be returned.

When selling goods based on a sample and/or description, the seller (service provider) shall provide goods that conform to the sample and/or description and shall also give the consumer an opportunity, upon receipt of the goods, to verify their integrity, fitness for use, and preservation of all consumer properties. If the goods do not conform to the sample and/or description, the seller (service provider) shall notify the consumer thereof in advance. Where the goods do not conform to the sample and/or description, the consumer shall have the right to demand: replacement of the goods; or refund of the amount paid.

All expenses related to the return of the goods shall be borne by the seller (service provider).

Damage caused without the fault of the consumer, as well as any reduction in the value of the goods resulting from opening the packaging for the purpose of inspection and examination, shall not deprive the consumer of the right to terminate the contract.

If, after termination of the contract, the amount paid by the consumer is not refunded by the seller within the period specified in the contract, the seller shall pay the consumer a penalty in the amount of one percent of the refundable amount for each day of delay beyond the contractual deadline. The amount of the penalty shall not exceed the amount to be refunded. Payment of the penalty shall not release the seller from fulfilling obligations arising from the termination of the contract.

In case of violation of consumer rights, he/she has the right to apply to the court. Claims shall be filed at the location of the defendant, the consumer, or at the place of the injury, unless otherwise provided by legislative acts.

Consumers in claims related to the violation of their rights, as well as state bodies that monitor the safety and quality of goods (work, services), public associations of consumers in claims filed in the interests of consumers (an indefinite audience of consumers), are exempted from paying the state duty.

In order to protect their rights and interests, consumers can form consumer associations on a voluntary basis.

Consumer associations are public organizations that operate in accordance with the law.