Legally Compliant E-commerce Websites: A Shield to Protect Your Business and Build Trust

A legally compliant e-commerce website not only helps you avoid penalties but also boosts your credibility with customers. Learn more about the regulations, policies, and mandatory procedures under Vietnam’s E-Commerce Law

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In the digital age, having an e-commerce website is about more than just a visually appealing design or fast loading speeds. One key factor that is often overlooked by many shop owners and businesses is legal compliance. Website bán hàng chuẩn pháp lý It is not only a mandatory requirement of government agencies but also a “seal of approval” for your brand’s reputation.

So, what makes a website legally compliant in Vietnam? What procedures and information are required to avoid unnecessary penalties? Let’s take a closer look in the article below.

E-commerce website compliant with legal requirements

Why does a website need to be legally compliant?

Many individuals and small businesses operate websites illegally, ignoring legal regulations because they believe their operations are still small-scale. However, the potential risks are significant:

  1. Avoid administrative penalties: According to Decree 98/2020/NĐ-CP, the fine for establishing an e-commerce website without notifying the relevant government agency can reach tens of millions of dong.
  2. Building trust with customers: When a website includes all required legal information and displays the “Notified to the Ministry of Industry and Trade” logo, customers will feel more confident when making online transactions and payments.
  3. Protecting business interests: Clear policies on returns and warranties will serve as the legal basis for resolving disputes should any complaints arise.

Required elements of a legally compliant e-commerce website

According to Decree No. 52/2013/ND-CP and Decree No. 85/2021/ND-CP on E-commerce, a legally compliant e-commerce website must meet the following requirements:

1. Thông báo/Đăng ký với Bộ Công Thương

This is the most important step. As soon as your website is complete and up and running, you need to file a notification (for e-commerce websites) or register (for e-commerce marketplaces) with the E-Commerce Activity Management Portal (online.gov.vn).

Once approved, you must display the “Notified” or “Registered” logo in the footer, linking to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s information page for verification.

2. Full disclosure of owner information

The website must clearly display the seller’s or owner’s information in a prominent location (typically the footer or the Contact page), including:

  • Company Name/Sole Proprietorship/Individual.
  • Tax ID Number/Business Registration Number.
  • Headquarters address/Permanent address.
  • Phone number and email address.

3. System of Required Policy Pages

To ensure that an e-commerce website complies with legal requirements and maintains transparency in transactions, it must include the following content pages:

  • Chính sách bảo mật thông tin: Commitment regarding the purpose of collection, scope of use, and retention period for customer information.
  • Shipping and Delivery Policy: Policies regarding delivery times, shipping fees, and the carrier’s responsibilities.
  • Return and Refund Policy: Return and exchange policies, as well as refund processing times, so customers are fully informed before making a purchase.
  • Shopping and Payment Guide: Ordering steps and accepted payment methods (cash on delivery, bank transfer, payment gateways, etc.).

4. Dispute Resolution Mechanism

You need to publish your process for receiving and resolving customer complaints. This is especially important if your website has an online payment feature.

5. Lưu ý về an toàn thông tin (SSL)

Mặc dù không phải là một văn bản quy phạm pháp luật cụ thể, nhưng Luật An ninh mạng và các quy định về bảo vệ dữ liệu cá nhân yêu cầu chủ website phải có biện pháp bảo vệ thông tin người dùng. Việc cài đặt chứng chỉ bảo mật SSL (giao thức https://) là tiêu chuẩn tối thiểu. Nó giúp mã hóa dữ liệu khách hàng nhập vào (tên, số điện thoại, thẻ tín dụng), tránh bị hacker đánh cắp. Một website không có “ổ khóa xanh” SSL sẽ bị Google đánh dấu là “Không bảo mật”, gây mất thiện cảm và ảnh hưởng nghiêm trọng đến SEO.

Conclusion

Build a E-commerce website compliant with legal requirements It’s not complicated at all if you understand the process from the start. Compliance with the law is a solid foundation for your business to grow sustainably, avoid legal issues, and earn the full trust of consumers.

If you have a website but haven’t completed these sections yet, review and update them today!

Contact us today to let EZ Fast Tech help your business Become more professional in the digital age!

Picture of Tác giả: Tony Do
Author: Tony Do

I am Tony Do, Co-Founder of EZ Fast Tech and holder of a Master of Science in Machine Learning & AI (Liverpool John Moores University). With over 15 years of technical leadership experience in demanding markets such as Singapore, the UK, and the UAE, I specialize in designing complex web and mobile systems and ensuring data security. I am directly responsible for shaping the technology strategy and developing customized solutions for clients at EZ Fast Tech.

Learn more about Tony Do
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