Consumer Defense Alert – June 2023

Law 31792: Law that strengthens the participation of Provincial Municipalities and District Municipalities in the protection and defense of consumer rights

On June 20, 2023, Law Nº 31792 was published in the Official Gazette El Peruano, which strengthens the participation of Provincial and District Municipalities within the framework of the National Integrated Consumer Protection System created by Law Nº 29571, Code of Consumer Protection and Defense («the Code»).

The regulation under comment lists a series of activities that municipalities (provincial and district) may carry out in accordance with Articles 133 and 134 of the Code, and Article 87 of Law Nº 27972, Organic Law of Municipalities. It also provides that it will be the responsibility of INDECOPI, as the National Consumer Authority, to issue the pertinent guidelines and directives for the application of these functions, as well as to provide technical assistance to municipal officials in order to strengthen their knowledge on the protection of consumer rights.

The aforementioned activities that may be carried out by the municipalities are the following:

1. To inform and educate citizens about their rights regarding consumer protection and defense.
2. To guide citizens on the existing consumer dispute resolution channels, as well as to promote their use by consumers.
3. To support public and private institutions in the development and execution of activities that promote the protection and defense of consumer rights.
4. To promote the creation and sustainability of consumer associations at the local level.

For further information, please contact Ximena Aramburú (xaramburu@estudiorodrigo.com).