China: State Administration for Market Regulation closes consultation on draft regulations on supervision and administration of online trading platform rules including user rights

On 4 July 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) closes the public consultation on the draft regulations on supervision and administration of online trading platform rules, including user protections. Under the draft regulations, e-commerce platforms are required to uphold the rights of both business users and consumers on their platforms. First, e-commerce platform operators are forbidden from prohibiting the exit of business users or consumers. Under such circumstances, they are also required to refund all relevant fees. Second, they must notify all relevant parties in cases where modifications to their rules may have a significant impact on the interests of said parties. Notifications must include the legal basis for the decision(s). Third, both business users and consumers have the right to appeal platform rules, and e-commerce platforms are required to respond promptly and make objective and fair determinations surrounding the appeal. E-commerce platforms are forbidden from unreasonably restricting appeal rights. Fourth, in the case of transaction dispute moderation, e-commerce platforms are required to equitably distribute the burden of proof. E-commerce platforms may reduce the burden of proof for a party in proportion to raising the degree of scrutiny against possible dishonesty and rights abuse behaviours. Fifth, e-commerce platforms are forbidden from placing unreasonable restrictions on the business activities of business users on the platform. Sixth, e-commerce platforms are forbidden from implementing platform rules that permit unreasonable fee collection, including unreasonable penalty fees.