China: Adopted E-Commerce Law including consumer protection regulation

On 31 January 2018, China's E-Commerce Law, which includes consumer protection regulation, was adopted. The Law applies to both e-commerce businesses and e-commerce platforms. E-commerce businesses are prohibited from engaging in false advertising, creating false or misleading reviews, and performing tie-in sales. The Law also regulates the obligations of e-commerce businesses regarding customer deposits, product delivery, and refunds. E-commerce platforms are additionally required to clearly label paid-for higher-ranked search engine results. Further, platforms are required to mark out their own business services on a platform to distinguish them from other e-commerce businesses. Finally, the Law establishes a sanctions regime, specifying the appropriate range of fines depending on the seriousness of an offence. The E-Commerce Law will be implemented on 1 January 2019.