E-commerce store regulations
Online Store Terms and Conditions - Czech Republic. Expansion into the Czech market.
The Czech market has recently become a very popular and attractive destination for Polish online stores, but like any foreign market, it requires compliance with local regulations. One of the key elements of expansion into the Czech Republic is the preparation of a "Terms and Conditions "—regulations that define the store's operating principles, including the ordering, payment, complaints, and returns processes. These regulations must comply with both EU law and Czech consumer protection regulations.
Online store regulations in Czech - what do you need to remember?
When preparing terms and conditions for a Czech online store, you must take into account a number of legal acts, including:
- Civil Code - regulates the basic principles of consumer sales, complaints and returns,
- Zákon o ochraně spotřebitele (Consumer Protection Act),
- Zákon o některých službách informační společnosti (Information Society Services Act) - equivalent to the Electronic Commerce Act,
- Zákon o cenách (The Pricing Act) - the obligation to provide correct information about costs,
- provisions regarding GDPR and product safety and entrepreneur liability.
Compliance with these regulations is ensured by Czech supervisory authorities, in particular the Czech Trade Inspection (ČOI), which checks the compliance of shops with the law, issues administrative decisions and, if necessary, imposes fines, and the Personal Data Protection Office (ÚOOÚ), the equivalent of the Polish Personal Data Protection Office, which supervises the processing of personal data.
The Czech Republic also has a Consumer Ombudsman , an ombudsman appointed to resolve disputes between consumers and sellers out of court. He mediates in situations that are beyond the reach of other bodies, helping consumers pursue their rights without having to go to court.
What to remember when creating regulations for the Czech market?
Like Polish consumers, Czech consumers have 14 days to withdraw from an online contract without giving a reason, as stipulated by both the Občanskýzákoník and the EU Consumer Directive. If the store fails to inform them of this right in its terms and conditions, this period may be extended to 12 months – therefore, clear and comprehensive information in the terms and conditions is essential to avoid legal problems.
Czech e-commerce law provides for a 24-month seller liability period for product defects, i.e., non-conformity with the contract. For the first 12 months, a so-called presumption of defect applies – this means that if the product proves to be defective, it is assumed that the defect existed at the time of purchase, and the entrepreneur bears the burden of proof to prove otherwise.
Similar to Poland, the Czech Republic also prohibits unfair contract terms known as abusive clauses, meaning provisions that excessively restrict customer rights. If the terms and conditions contain such provisions, the Czech Chamber of Commerce may initiate an investigation, impose a financial penalty, and the problematic provisions will be deemed invalid.
Importantly, the Czech Electronic Commerce Act explicitly requires:
- providing full details of the entrepreneur (name, address, IČO identifier, or DIČ for VAT, e-mail and telephone number),
- sending order confirmation by e-mail,
- enabling the customer to download and save the regulations.
The Czech Republic, like Poland, applies the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but also has a local act – the Personal Data Protection Act ( Zákonozpracováníosobníchúdajů ). This document clarifies national regulations regarding data processing and complies with the GDPR. Therefore, every online store should have not only terms and conditions but also a privacy policy (" Zásadyochranyosobníchúdajů "), clearly defining what data is collected, for what purpose, how it is protected, and what rights consumers have (including the right to access, correct, or delete data).
In addition to the regulations ( Obchodní podmínky ), customers also expect:
- Privacy Policy ( Zásady ochrany osobních údajů ),
- clear information about the right to withdraw from the contract ( Odstoupení od smlouvy ),
- section on complaints ( klamační řád ),
- contact details pages,
- often also the " O nás" (About us) tab, which Czechs are happy to familiarize themselves with
Failure to provide such information may be considered a violation of Czech consumer law.
Professionally prepared Terms and Conditions, compliant with the Czech Občanský zákoník (Czech Code of Conduct) and the requirements published by the Czech Obchodní inspekce (Czech Inspectorate of Business Administration), protect your company from disputes and sanctions, while also building customer trust, enabling you to conquer new markets and achieve international success for your store. Czech consumers are demanding – they value simple rules, clear complaints procedures, and transparent communication. Therefore, terms and conditions written in understandable language, free from complex legal jargon, will be a significant asset to your store.
Entering the Czech e-commerce market is a great opportunity for growth, but it requires preparation—from adapting your terms and conditions, to creating transparent policies, and finally, proper customer communication. This will ensure your store not only complies with legal requirements but also earns the trust of Czech shoppers, who can become loyal customers who appreciate your attention to detail and respect for local rules.
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