LEGAL UPDATE
March 2026
PART I. TAX SECTOR
1. On making additions and amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia regarding elements not considered
income and expenses.
2. On making additions and amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia regarding settlement documents.
PART II: PRIVATE SECTOR
1. Decision No. 31-N of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia on making amendments
and supplements to Decision No. 116 of May 2, 2011.
2. On amending the Law "On Procurement" regarding the continuity of the procurement process.
PART III: BANKING SECTOR
1. On the approval of Regulation 8/09 "Minimum requirements for the implementation of
self- restriction tools for financial services by consumers".
PART IV. CUSTOMS AREA
1. Decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission on establishing the value norms
within which e- commerce goods purchased by individuals are imported into
the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union without payment of
customs duties for e-commerce goods.
PART IV. CUSTOMS AREA
1. On Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Consumer Rights Protection.
2. On Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Advertising.
PART I. TAX SECTOR
(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the tax sector for March 2025)
1. On making additions and amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia regarding elements not considered income and expenses
Name of the legislative act
Law No. HO-61-N on Amendments and Supplements to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/223064
Change status:
The amendment to the law entered into force on March 28, 2026.
Which legislative act was amended by the adoption of the above-mentioned act:
With the adoption of the above-mentioned act, a change was made to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia.
What are the changes about:
As a result of the adoption of amendments to this Law, it is clarified that the amounts of loans (leasing) and their interest rate subsidies received within the framework of state support programs for the agricultural sector financed by the state will not be considered income for the purpose of determining the profit tax base until December 31, 2026. At the same time, it is stipulated that expenses incurred at the expense of the same subsidy amounts will not be considered expenses for the purpose of determining the profit tax base. The amendment enters into force on the day following its official publication and applies to relations arising after January 1, 2021.
Recommendation: If you are engaged in legal and tax support for agricultural entities, borrowers, or organizations benefiting from state support programs, it is advisable to review the tax accounting of transactions made after January 1, 2021 and assess whether adjustments need to be made to profit tax calculations.
To supplement Part 1 of Article 108 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia of October 4, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the Code) with the following paragraph 27:
Article 108. Items not considered income
1. For the purpose of determining the tax base for profit tax, the following shall not be considered income for profit tax payers:
27) the amounts of loans (leasing) received within the framework of state support programs for the agricultural sector financed by the state and the interest rate subsidies calculated on them, up to and including December 31, 2026.
To supplement Part 1 of Article 112 of the Code with the following paragraph 21:
Article 112. Items not considered expenses
1. For the purpose of determining the tax base for profit tax, the following are not considered expenses for profit tax payers:
21) Expenses incurred at the expense of interest rate subsidies for loans (leasing) received within the framework of state-funded state support programs for the agricultural sector, up to and including December 31, 2026.
This law shall enter into force on the day following its official publication and shall apply to relations arising after January 1, 2021.
2. On making additions and amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia regarding settlement documents
Name of the legislative act
Law No. HO-60-N on Amendments and Supplements to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/223058
Change status:
The amendment to the law will enter into force on April 1, 2026.
Which legislative act was amended by the adoption of the above-mentioned act:
With the adoption of the above-mentioned act, a change was made to the Tax Code..
What the changes are about:
As a result of the adoption of amendments to this Law, additional documentation and cash discipline requirements are established in the field of medical care and maintenance services. In particular, it is envisaged that in the case of the provision of medical services, the tax invoice or the adjusting tax invoice must necessarily include the personalized identification code generated by the electronic health system for each service provided. In addition, if medical organizations or individual entrepreneurs connected to the electronic health system accept payment with payment instruments based on payment technologies, the use of an electronic cash register becomes mandatory. At the same time, it is established that the corresponding identification code for each medical service provided must also be reflected on the cash register receipt.
Recommendation: if you serve medical organizations, clinics, or individual entrepreneurs providing healthcare services, it is necessary to check in advance whether their accounting, cash register, and document management systems are technically ready to ensure the reflection of medical service identification codes in tax invoices and cash register receipts, as well as the mandatory use of cash registers in case of payment acceptance.
To supplement Part 4 of Article 55 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia of October 4, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the Code) with the following paragraph 12:
Article 55. Settlement document and its preparation
4. The following must be included in the tax calculation or the adjustment tax calculation:
12) in the case of the provision of medical care and maintenance services, the personalized identification code of the relevant medical service generated by the electronic healthcare system for each service provided.
In Article 380.1 of the Code, add the following part 1.2:
Article 380.1. Use of electronic cash registers
1.2. In case of accepting payment through payment instruments based on payment technologies by organizations providing medical care and services and individual entrepreneurs connected to the electronic healthcare system, the use of an electronic cash register is mandatory.
To supplement Part 3 of Article 381 of the Code with the following paragraph 20:
Article 381. Rules for the use of a cash register
The following information (data) must be printed on the cash register receipt: 20) in the case of the provision of medical care and maintenance services, the personalized identification code of the relevant medical service generated by the electronic health system for each service provided.
PART II: PRIVATE SECTOR
(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the private sector for the month of March 2026)
1. Decision No. 31-N of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia on making amendments and supplements to Decision No. 116 of May 2, 2011
Name of the legislative act:
Decision No. 31-N on Amendments and Supplements to Decision No. 116 of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia of May 2, 2011 https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/222167/latest
Change status :
This decision entered into force on March 10, 2026.
What the changes are about:
The amendments introduce a new regulation that defines how persons managing non-public funds must re-register and obtain a license as a manager; the documents submitted to the Central Bank, requirements regarding capital and ownership structure, as well as the deadlines for reviewing applications and making decisions, are clarified.
These changes are especially important for private fund managers, investment companies, financial institutions, as well as individuals wishing to start or expand their activities in this field.
To supplement the Regulation with the following content in Chapter 7.1:
CHAPTER 7.1. DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR RE-REGISTRATION AND LICENSING AS MANAGERS OF NON-PUBLIC FUNDS
42.1. For re-registration and licensing of a person managing a non-public fund as a manager, the following shall be submitted to the Central Bank:
1) the re-registration and licensing petition in accordance with Appendix 18 of this Regulation, in which the petition shall include a statement that the area of activity of the person registered as a manager and managing the non-public fund to be licensed (hereinafter referred to as the applicant in this chapter) complies with the criteria established by the Central Bank;
2) The application for permission to provide services provided for in Article 52, Parts 3, 4 or 5 of the Law, if the manager will also provide the relevant services in accordance with Appendix 3 to these Regulations,
3) the petition for revoking the permission to manage a non- public fund, in accordance with Appendix 19 of these regulations,
4) the documents specified in paragraphs d, f, f1, sub-points 5 and 6 of point 26 of this regulation,
5) Documents specified in paragraphs 9 and 14 of part 2 of Article 54 of the Law,
6) the new edition of the statutes approved by the applicant's competent management body, which must have a title page in the form specified in Appendix 15 of these regulations,
7) Documents substantiating the fulfillment of the total capital requirement established by Regulation 10/02, approved by the Resolution No. 119-N of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia of May 12, 2011. Moreover, if the total capital of the person managing the non-public fund at the time of applying for re- registration and licensing does not meet the minimum capital limits established by Regulation 10/02, then a certificate certifying the actual amount of funds available in the accumulative account opened for the purpose of replenishing the statutory capital with the Central Bank or any other bank operating in the Republic of Armenia not affiliated with the person managing the fund shall also be submitted, at least in the amount of the difference and the decision of the authorized management body of the person managing the fund on replenishing the statutory capital in the event of re-registration and licensing by the Central Bank,
8) the last three years (legal entities that have been operating for less than three years shall submit the specified information for the entire period of operation) and the latest interim financial statements of the legal entity with a significant stake in the applicant's authorized capital, and the independent audit opinion of the financial statements for the last financial year.
42.2. The regulations set forth in paragraphs 27 to 34 of this Regulation shall also apply within the framework of the process of re-registering and licensing a person managing a non-public fund as a manager, as defined in this chapter.
42.3. The Central Bank may request additional information and documents necessary to assess the reliability of the documents and information provided for in this Chapter.
42.4. The Central Bank shall, within 30 working days from the date of receipt of all necessary documents and information provided for in this Chapter, make a decision on re-registration and licensing of the person managing the non-public fund as a manager, and in case of submitting the petition specified in subparagraph 2 of paragraph
42.1, also on granting a permit to provide services provided for in parts 3, 4 or 5 of Article 52 of the Law.
42.5. The Central Bank shall issue the registration certificate and license to the manager within 5 working days from the date of making the decision to re-register the person managing the non-public fund as a manager and to issue a license.
42.6. The Central Bank shall, within 5 working days from the moment of making the decision to re-register the person managing the non-public fund as a manager, notify the State Register of Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice, indicating the identification data relating to the legal entity recorded in the State Register of Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice, as well as the identification data provided to the legal entity by the Central Bank as a result of registration, after which the manager shall be considered registered with the Central Bank.
2. On amending the Law "On Procurement" regarding the continuity of the procurement process
Name of the legislative act:
Law No. HO-55-N of 04.03.2026 on Amendments to the Law "On Procurement" https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/223054
Change status :
This Law entered into force on March 28, 2026.
Which legislative act was amended by the adoption of the above-mentioned act:
As a result of the adoption of this Law, a change has been made to the RA Law "On Procurement".
What the amendments concern:
As a result of the adoption of this Law, a change was made to the RA Law "On Procurement", in particular, the Law was supplemented with a new article on the continuity of the Procurement process.
To supplement the Law HO-21-N of December 16, 2016 "On Procurement" with the following content, Article 46.1:
Article 46.1. Continuity of the procurement process
1. Appealing the actions (inaction) and decisions of the customer and the evaluation committee within the framework of the procurement process does not suspend the procurement process if the invitation to the given process contains information about the fact that the process is organized to ensure public or defense and national security interests.
2. The information provided for in Part 1 of this Article shall be included in the invitation with the prior consent of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.
PART III: BANKING SECTOR
(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the banking sector for March 2026)
1. On the approval of Regulation 8/09 "Minimum requirements for the implementation of self- restriction tools for financial services by consumers"
Name of the legislative act:
On approval of Regulation 8/09 "Minimum requirements for the introduction of self-restriction tools for financial services by consumers" CODE 050.0043 N. 24.02.2026, No. 43-N of February 24, 2026
https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/222170/latest
The situation is:
This decision will enter into force on July 1, 2026.
Unified website 2026.03.02-2026.03.15 Official publication date 09.03.2026.
What the changes are about:
As a result of the adoption of these amendments, it is mandatory for financial organizations to introduce tools for the consumer to independently limit ("stop") remote financial services. That is, the customer will be able to temporarily block individual services or all remote services to protect against fraud and data misuse. At the same time, the minimum requirements for the activation, unblocking and notification of these tools to the customer are regulated. The amendments come into force on July 1, 2026.
Recommendation: It is necessary to review internal procedures, digital platforms, and customer notification mechanisms in advance to comply with the new requirements.
REGULATION 8/09 ON APPROVAL OF "MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SELF-REGULATORY INSTRUMENTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES BY CONSUMER"
Aiming to establish clear tools and mechanisms for the prevention of financial fraud, through which consumers will be able to independently limit the financial services they can access remotely,
Based on Article 3.1, Part 2, Point “c”, Article 20, Part 1, Point “ib”, Article 17, Part 2 of the Law “On Payment and Settlement Systems and Payment and Settlement Organizations”, Article 43, Part 1.1 of the Law “On Banks and Banking Activities”, Article 9.1 of the Law “On Credit Organizations”,
Guided by point "e" of part 1 of Article 20 of the Law "On the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia", the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia
It is decided.
1. To approve Regulation 8/09 "Minimum Requirements for the Implementation of Self-Restriction Tools for Financial Services by Consumers", in accordance with the Annex to this decision.
2. This decision shall enter into force on July 1, 2026.
3. After the first introduction of the "stop" tool defined by the regulation approved in the appendix to this decision, the financial institution shall publish a statement on the "stop" tools on its website and other digital platforms, in a visible place and in a prominent format, for at least 3 months from the date of introduction.
4. Immediately after the first introduction of the “stop” tool defined by the regulations approved by the appendix to this decision, but no later than within 1 business day, the financial institution shall inform the consumer about the “stop” tool, indicating the rules and forms for using it. The information defined by this point shall be provided to the consumer electronically, unless the consumer has preferred another method of communication with the financial institution.
REGULATIONS 8/09
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSUMER SELF- REGULATORY INSTRUMENTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. This Regulation establishes the minimum requirements for the introduction, operation and termination of self-restriction tools (hereinafter referred to as "stop" tools) applied at the initiative of the consumer in relation to services provided remotely by a financial institution.
2. The requirements of this Regulation apply to banks licensed by the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, branches of foreign banks, credit organizations, payment and settlement organizations implementing money (cash) transfers (hereinafter referred to as the organization), which provide financial services remotely.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC CONCEPTS
3. The terms used in this regulation have the following meanings:
1) Place of operation: head office of the organization, branch.
2) Fraud: illegal access to another person's financial resources through deception, breach of trust, illegal use of personal data, or falsification.
3) Consumer: a natural person, individual entrepreneur or legal entity using financial services provided remotely by an organization, who is a client of the organization. 4) “Stop” tools: tools provided by the organization that allow the consumer to block access to individual or all remote financial services on his/her own initiative.
5) Software application: a program or set of programs (e.g., mobile application, internet/web application, or website) launched by a financial institution, through which the institution provides financial services to the client remotely.
CHAPTER 3 TYPES OF "STOP" INSTRUMENT
4. The organization's internal procedures implement and ensure the availability of "stop" tools.
1) "stop service" tool to block a separate service provided remotely ,
2) "Stop all services" tool to block all remote services at once.
5. "Stop" tools are applicable to at least the following services:
1) Money transfers and payments. a. Transfers and payments to third party accounts, including to third party electronic money accounts.
2) Card operations.
a. Creating cash withdrawal requests with the software application,
b. Card-to-card transfers,
c. Online (card-not-present) payments and purchases,
d. Linking the card to electronic wallets or devices ( if technically possible).
3) Credit operations.
a. Obtaining a new loan
b. Using the unused portion of an already approved credit line or overdraft limit.
4) Deposits.
a. Refund of the amount of an existing deposit, or payment of interest, or transfer of funds from the deposit account to other persons,
b. Early termination of an existing deposit agreement.
5) Other.
a. Opening a new account,
b. Issuance of a new payment card,
c. Linking another bank's card to the software application,
d. Linking new devices (phone, tablet, etc.) or other applications to the bank account.
6. In addition to the services provided for in paragraph 5 of this Regulation, the “Stop” tools are also applicable to services provided remotely, which may contain financial and data leakage risks for the consumer, due to the fact that these services, compared to the services provided by organizations at their places of operation, are not provided with equivalent security and identification rules.
7. In the event that the "stop" tool is activated in one software application of an organization, it is also applicable to other software applications of the same organization.
8. A service blocked by the consumer using the "stop" tool is considered blocked in all software applications operated by the given organization, regardless of the circumstance through which the blocking was performed.
9. In case the credit bureau has appropriate technical and software solutions, when applying the “stop” tool for the operations provided for in subparagraph 3 of paragraph 5 of this regulation, a message is displayed to the consumer and an opportunity is provided to limit the credit operations defined in subparagraph 3 of paragraph 5 of this regulation also in other financial organizations.
10. In the event of blocking of services, the consumer continues to have access to view the balances of his accounts, deposits and loans, as well as the ability to physically use them in a real environment.
CHAPTER 4 RULES FOR OPERATING THE "STOP" INSTRUMENT
11. The organization creates appropriate conditions so that the consumer can independently use the "stop" tools, through software applications, by visiting the organization's place of business or by making a phone call.
12. The minimum requirements for the presentation format of "Stop" instruments are:
1) The software application provides for a separate, visible and clearly marked “stop” button or action, accessible from the main page, to launch two tools (“stop service” and “stop all services”),
2) The "Stop" button shall be located in a visible area and the consumer shall be able to easily notice, recognize, understand and use it,
3) The use of the tool does not require explanation or justification from the consumer,
4) When clicking the "Stop" button, the consumer has the opportunity to see a list of all services (hereinafter referred to as the list), select the service or services that he wants to block, as well as select an instruction to block all services with one click,
5) The list is presented in detail by type of service, the names of the services are formulated in a way that is understandable to the consumer,
6) The list indicates in a separate format those services that, according to the organization's assessment, are most risky from the point of view of fraud.
13. The minimum requirements for the operation of "Stop" tools are:
1) After the “Stop” tool is activated, the consumer is shown a message in the exemplary form specified in this paragraph or an equivalent message providing the same meaning and level of awareness, Example message format: "You are blocking the service(s)/all services you selected. No one (including you) can perform any actions within the scope of these services, even if they gain access to the application. To unblock, contact the organization or call [tel. number]. ",
2) The message specified in subparagraph 1 of this clause shall be displayed for at least 60 (sixty) seconds and shall include the “confirm” and “cancel” buttons. Services shall be blocked only upon clicking the “confirm” button or performing another confirming action. 3) After receiving the "Confirm" command, the service is blocked immediately, within a maximum of 60 (sixty) seconds.
14. After launching the tool, the consumer will see the current status of blocked services on the main page. 15. The minimum requirements for communication after the operation of "stop" tools are:
1) Immediately after the launch of the “Stop” tool, the organization sends the consumer a confirmation notification via text message (SMS), e-mail or other communication method chosen by the consumer, 2) The notification is sent in Armenian, unless the consumer has chosen another language of communication from the options offered by the organization,
3) The notification shall at least contain information on which service(s) of which organization have been blocked, the date and time of blocking, methods of unblocking, and contact information in case of questions or problems.
4) After the activation of the “Stop” tool, the consumer is sent a message in the form specified in this paragraph or an equivalent message providing the same meaning and level of awareness,
a . Sample text message (SMS) format:
"You have blocked [name of organization] from [service(s) or all services] of your choice [date, time]. Unblocking is only available after your identification and identity verification. For questions, please call [tel. number ]. ",
b . Example of a notification/push notification in mobile banking. "
Topic: Service( s) are blocked.
You have blocked the service(s)/all services. Unblocking is only available after your identification and identity verification. For questions: [tel. number]",
c . Sample email format:
Subject : The ability to obtain a loan in your name is blocked at organization X
Dear customer,
We would like to inform you that at your initiative, the possibility of applying for a loan remotely at Organization X has been blocked.
This means that from this moment on, you, as well as anyone else, will not be able to receive the above- mentioned financial services.
Unblocking is only available after your authentication and identity verification.
Action: Service blocking
Date and time: [DATE, TIME]
For questions, please contact [X organization name] by calling [phone number] or writing to [email address].
Respectfully,
[Name of organization X] team
16. The activation of the "Stop Service" and "Stop All Services" tools can also be carried out at the organization's place of business or via telephone.
CHAPTER 5 RULES FOR BLOCKING SERVICES
17. The organization unblocks the service if it has carried out identification and identity verification of the person and verified that the unblocking request was submitted by the consumer.
18. During the unblocking process, consumer identification and identity verification are carried out in accordance with the same procedures that are defined for customer identification and identity verification processes used by the organization.
19. Unblocking is carried out exclusively at the initiative of the consumer.
20. After receiving the consumer's application for unblocking services, the organization unblocks it within a maximum of 24 (twenty-four) hours, and immediate unblocking is possible only with the consumer's physical presence at the organization's place of business.
21. An unblocking application may be granted no earlier than 24 (twenty-four) hours after the blocking, except in cases where the unblocking is carried out in the physical presence of the consumer.
22. The minimum communication requirements after unblocking the service are:
1) After accepting the request to unblock the service, the consumer is sent a message in the form specified in this clause or an equivalent message providing the same meaning and level of awareness. Sample message format:
"Attention: You have submitted a request to unblock [organization name] for the [ service( s)/all services] you selected. Unblocking will occur after your identification and identity verification. For questions, please contact [organization name, phone number ]. ",
2) After confirming the unblocking, the organization shall immediately send the consumer a notification of the unblocking via text message (SMS), e-mail or other communication method chosen by the consumer, in the exemplary form specified in this clause or with other equivalent content providing the same meaning and level of awareness.
a . Sample text message (SMS) format:
"You have unblocked [ name of service( s)/all services] on [date], [time]. From this moment on, the specified services are again available in your application. If this was not an action taken by you or you have changed your mind, please contact us immediately to ensure the protection of your data. For questions or assistance, please contact:
[Organization name, phone number]. ",
b . Example of a notification/push notification in mobile banking. "
Subject : Service( s) unblocked"
You have unblocked [service( s)/all services]. From this moment on, the specified services are available again. In case of questions: [tel. number]",
c . Sample email format:
Subject : The ability to obtain a loan in your name at X organization has been unblocked
Dear customer,
We would like to inform you that, according to your request, the ability to apply for a loan remotely at X organization has been unblocked.
From this moment on, you can once again use the above-mentioned financial services.
Action : Confirm service unblocking
Date and time: [DATE, TIME]
For questions, please contact [X organization name] by calling [phone number] or writing to [email address]
Respectfully,
[Name of organization X],
3) The notification is sent in Armenian, unless the consumer has chosen another language of communication from the options offered by the Organization.
PART IV. CUSTOMS AREA
(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the customs sector for March 2026)
1. Decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission on establishing the value norms within which e-commerce goods purchased by individuals are imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union without payment of customs duties for e-commerce goods
Name of the legislative act:
Decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission on establishing the value norms within which e-commerce goods purchased by individuals are imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union without payment of customs duties for e-commerce goods, dated December 5, 2025, No. 119
https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/222707/latest
The situation is:
This decision was signed on December 5, 2025.
Unified website 2026.03.16-2026.03.29 Official publication date 20.03.2026
What are the changes about:
As a result of the adoption of these amendments, it is established that goods purchased by individuals through e- commerce and imported into the customs territory of the EAEU will be exempt from customs duties if their value does not exceed 200 euros. In other words, the decision establishes the value threshold for duty-free import of e- commerce goods.
Recommendation: If you are engaged in customs, e-commerce, or import legal support, it is necessary to inform customers in advance about the rule of application of the 200 euro threshold so that possible customs obligations can be correctly calculated upon import.
In accordance with Clause 4 of Article 3098 of the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union, Clause 171 of Appendix No. 1 to the Rules of Procedure of the Eurasian Economic Commission, approved by Resolution No. 98 of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council of December 23, 2014, the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission has decided:
1. The value norms within which e-commerce goods purchased by individuals are imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union without payment of customs duty for e-commerce goods shall be set at 200 euros.
2. This decision shall enter into force upon the expiration of 10 calendar days from the date of its official publication, but not earlier than the date of entry into force of the Protocol “On Amendments to the Agreement “On the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union” of April 11, 2017”, signed on December 25, 2023.
PART V. COMPETITION SECTOR
(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the competition sector for the month of March 2026)
1. On Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Consumer Rights Protection
Name of the legislative act:
Draft law on amendments and additions to the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights http://www.parliament.am/draftreading_docs8/K-1244_DR2.pdf
Change status:
The draft of this Law was adopted in first reading by the National Assembly on 04.03.2026.
Which legislative act was amended by the adoption of the above-mentioned act:
As a result of the adoption of this draft, an amendment will be made to the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights".
What the amendments concern:
The package of draft laws presented by the RA Government proposes to make amendments and supplements to the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights", while also making corresponding amendments and supplements to the related Law "On Advertising".
The adoption of the amendments and additions presented in the package of draft laws aims to modernize the legal regulations for the protection of consumer rights, taking into account the development of modern commercial relations, the peculiarities of the digital economy, as well as European legal approaches.
According to the author, the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" still needs significant reform, which is due to the existence of legal gaps and shortcomings in existing regulations, the resolution of which is of key importance for ensuring effective consumer protection.
The package of draft laws significantly expands the guarantees for the protection of consumer rights, in particular in the areas of conformity of goods, goods containing digital elements, commercial guarantees, allocation of the burden of proof, as well as distance and off-premises contracts. The proposed legal regulations are largely consistent with the main directions of European Union consumer law.
In general, there are no suggestions or comments regarding the package of drafts from the perspective of social issues, however, in our opinion, a number of provisions of the draft "On Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights" (hereinafter referred to as the Draft) need clarification and additional regulation. In particular:
- some legal concepts and criteria (e.g. "reasonably foreseeable" (Article 5.1), "disproportionate costs" (Article 7), "significant inconvenience" (Article 9)) are formulated openly and give rise to misunderstandings and different interpretations,
- we believe that the Draft should clearly state that for vulnerable groups (elderly people, people with disabilities, people with low educational or digital literacy) information should be simpler, more accessible and, if necessary, in paper form (clearly specifying the concepts of "price", "right of return", "warranty", "time frames"),
- The project is largely based on online sales, digital signatures, and electronic agreements, while many residents, especially in the regions, do not have internet or cannot use digital platforms,