The legislation was approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, while the Ministry of Commerce published further details on Wednesday, November 11.

According to the ministry, the legislation establishes the country’s first unified and comprehensive legal framework governing consumer rights across products and services.

One of the most important provisions prohibits businesses from imposing additional charges on consumers simply because they choose a particular payment method.

The law also restricts businesses from demanding new fees or expenses unless the amount is clearly specified in the contract or the method of calculating it has been properly disclosed.

These provisions are intended to increase pricing transparency and prevent unexpected or unjustified financial obligations during commercial transactions.

The new legislation also prohibits misleading advertisements and commercial practices that may influence a consumer’s decision through inaccurate or incomplete information.

Businesses may not advertise unavailable products or promote limited-time or limited-quantity offers without maintaining reasonably sufficient stock in relation to expected demand.

The framework additionally addresses false customer reviews, manipulated consumer feedback and promotional material that conceals its commercial or sponsored nature.

Consumer warranties represent another important area covered by the new law, which introduces clearer responsibilities for suppliers and service providers.

The Ministry of Commerce confirmed that the legislation establishes warranties of at least one year for services and used products, alongside wider safeguards relating to product quality and conformity.

The requirements are designed to strengthen consumer confidence and reduce disputes involving defective products, inadequate maintenance or services that do not meet contractual expectations.

The law also introduces exceptional mechanisms to protect consumers from unusual price increases during crises, pandemics or other extraordinary circumstances.

Under the applicable legal conditions, authorities may establish temporary price controls, limit profit margins or require advance approval before certain prices are increased.

However, these powers should not be interpreted as imposing a permanent universal price ceiling on every product or service in the Saudi market.

Another important development concerns agreements concluded outside traditional business premises, which will receive safeguards comparable to those governing electronic commercial transactions.

The legislation also aims to simplify the settlement of minor consumer disputes and improve access to legal remedies where products or services cause demonstrable harm.

More than twenty government agencies will cooperate in the implementation and enforcement of the new consumer protection framework.

Regarding penalties, the Ministry of Commerce announced that violations may result in financial fines reaching SAR 8 million and imprisonment for periods of up to two years.

Other possible measures include suspending business activities, seizing non-compliant products and publishing warnings to protect consumers from harmful or unlawful commercial practices.

These amounts represent maximum penalties under the relevant provisions and should not be interpreted as automatic fines imposed for every minor infringement.

The legislation also establishes specific protections for vulnerable consumers, including children, older people and persons with disabilities.

Advertisements directed at children must not contain material that endangers their lives, health or safety, while unfair commercial pressure and unjustified restrictions on consumer rights are prohibited.

The law additionally addresses unjustified discrimination between consumers on grounds including nationality, gender or race.

One of the most important issues is the date on which the newly approved provisions will become legally enforceable.

The Ministry of Commerce confirmed that the new Consumer Protection Law will enter into force 180 days after its publication in the Saudi Official Gazette, rather than immediately upon Cabinet approval.

Once effective, it will replace three existing statutes: the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law, the E-Commerce Law and the Commercial Data Law, subject to the applicable legal arrangements.

Consequently, the November 10 approval should not be confused with the beginning of enforcement of every new obligation and penalty contained in the legislation.

Consumers are encouraged to review contracts, payment charges, warranties and advertising claims carefully, while retaining receipts and transaction records for any future complaints.

Businesses and service providers should use the period before implementation to evaluate their pricing, promotional practices, contractual conditions and customer protection procedures.

Existing laws remain applicable until the new legislation formally comes into effect, making it essential to distinguish current legal obligations from those introduced by the approved framework.

The legislation represents a significant development in Saudi Arabia’s consumer protection system, bringing stronger safeguards, clearer commercial responsibilities and more substantial penalties into one unified regulatory structure.

Its precise implementation date will depend on the date of publication in the Official Gazette, followed by the statutory 180-day period.

Source: Saudi Ministry of Commerce – Saudi Press Agency (SPA) – Asharq Al-Awsat – Saudi Gazette