Preparing regulations for an online store – a necessity in e-commerce

What should be the characteristics of good online store regulations?

Store regulations are a key document for entities operating in e-commerce and result directly from the regulations, especially the Act on the provision of electronic services. Additionally, entrepreneurs conducting B2C sales have numerous information obligations towards consumers, such as information about the right to withdraw from the contract or delivery dates.

Store regulations, in addition to meeting legal requirements, may also bring benefits to the entrepreneur by allowing the modification of certain issues to his advantage, e.g. limiting the right to return non-standard goods. However, not every regulation will meet these requirements, so it is important to personalize it to a specific online store, avoiding ready-made templates available online.

What should store regulations include?

In addition to information about the entrepreneur and general principles of the sales contract, the regulations should include a description of the account creation procedure, consumer rights (including the right to withdraw), delivery methods, payment methods and final provisions. It is worth emphasizing that these elements are only examples, and the entrepreneur himself should consider what provisions are important for his store.

Are the regulations alone enough?

Although the regulations are a key document, they are not the only ones that regulate the activities of the online store. Additional obligations result from economic law, the legal form of activity and environmental protection regulations. You should also take into account the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires the use of a privacy policy tailored to a specific store.

To sum up, store regulations and documentation related to GDPR constitute the basis for the proper functioning of online stores. Deficiencies in these documents may lead to legal consequences, therefore entrepreneurs are recommended to use the help of a specialist law firm to prepare the necessary documentation and ensure compliance with applicable law.