Guidelines for online businesses

TWO years into the Covid-19 pandemic, we have witnessed how consumers transitioned from being buyers from traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to online shoppers. Indeed, online transactions provide a more convenient means for consumers to avail of goods and services.

With this rise of online businesses, there also arises the need to regulate them in order to protect the rights and interests of consumers. In this regard, several government agencies — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and the National Privacy Commission — issued Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 22-01 dated March 4, 2022 (Guidelines for Online Businesses Reiterating the Laws and Regulations Applicable to Online Businesses and Consumers) providing guidelines for online businesses based on the existing laws and regulations and stating a non-exhaustive list of penalties in case of violations.