Burundi: Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations including fair marketing and advertising practice requirement entered into force

On 4 December 2025, the Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations, including fair marketing and advertising practice requirements, entered into force. The Regulations prohibit a range of unfair trade practices aimed at protecting consumers from deceptive or exploitative conduct. In particular, the Regulation prohibits false or misleading representations in connection with the supply or promotion of products, including misrepresenting a product’s quality, value, origin, performance characteristics, sponsorship, availability, price or delivery conditions, or omitting material information necessary for consumers to make informed decisions. The Regulation also prohibits practices including dark patterns and scams. It further prohibits unconscionable conduct, including situations where suppliers exploit a significant imbalance in bargaining power, impose unnecessary or unfair conditions, apply undue pressure, fail to disclose relevant charges or risks, or otherwise act in an abusive or deceptive manner toward consumers. The Regulation also addresses unfair consumer contract terms, providing that contract provisions causing a significant imbalance in the rights and obligations of the parties to the detriment of consumers may be deemed unfair and unenforceable, including excessive penalties, unreasonable security deposits, unilateral termination rights or restrictive assignment clauses. In addition, it requires suppliers to comply with product information and labelling standards, ensuring that products disclose key details such as the product name, manufacturer information, country of origin, manufacturing date, ingredients or components, usage instructions, expiry dates and relevant safety warnings. Firms that violate these consumer protection provisions may face administrative penalties of up to 10% of their annual turnover in the Common Market, alongside remedial measures such as product repair, replacement or consumer refunds.