Ahead of the implementation of the unified contract, the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy organised a workshop for electronics firms in the emirate. The objective of the workshop was to explain the regulations regarding the unified contract that should be part of any sale or service of electronic goods and spare parts in the UAE effective 2018, according to a report in Al Bawaba.
The ‘Unified Electronic Contract,’ which includes three contracts for sale, warranty, maintenance and spare parts, will be effective as of early January 2018. Each dealer or distributor will be required to honour all the guarantees provided by the producer or the customer in accordance with Article 12 of the Consumer Protection No. 24 of 2006, which obliges suppliers of any commodity to repair, maintain and provide after-sales service, and return the commodity within a specified time once a defect is brought to their attention, said the report.
“The main objective of unified contract is to ensure the commitment of electronics companies to the interests of consumers and enhance consumer confidence in the local market, in addition to eliminating any after-sale uncertainties,” said Ahmad Al Zaabi, senior manager consumer awareness, CCCP.
The unified contract should include all product details, serial number and date of purchase. The seller may also add other information, provided that they do not conflict with any of the provisions of the unified contract or Consumer Protection Law No. 24 of 2006.
Al Zaabi added that the warranty terms must be clarified by the dealer or distributor in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law. “The contract should include customer information and warranty period in addition to the warranty terms.”
Sale of any electronic product without a dated contract is prohibited. Maintenance contracts agreed upon by the parties concerned must be documented by the company in accordance with the terms of the Unified Maintenance Contract, which should also state consumer obligations and practices that may result in the cancellation of the company’s obligations, said the report.
A copy of the contract format has been sent to the representatives of the companies that attended the workshop and the same is also available on the Consumer Protection Website at www.consumerrights.ae.
