In 2020 Mauritania adopted its first consumer protection law, Law No. 2020-007 of 4 June 2020, published in the Official Journal No. 1465 of 15 July 2020. It covers product conditions, consumer information, redress and penalties.
Protecting consumers' health is one of the law's objectives (Article 1), and Chapter 3 requires the relevant ministries to follow international standards for hygiene and storage conditions. Under Article 18, ministries must coordinate measures to protect consumers against foods or products that threaten health and safety, and Articles 39 and 40 provide for a food-safety inspection strategy and market monitoring coordinated by the Ministry of Trade. Article 44 creates a body within the Ministry of Trade to monitor fraud and offences under the law.
Title 2 sets out consumer information duties, and the law addresses labelling, clear price display, the safety of food products and the security of industrial products and services. Consumer protection associations may assist consumers and bring public-interest actions (Articles 70 and 72), and Chapter 10 (Articles 75 to 88) sets heavy penalties.
Implementing text: Decree No. 2024-027 of 20 February 2024 sets the conditions and procedures for approving consumer protection associations, as provided for by the law. No repealing or amending law has been found. The law has no chapter on e-commerce.
Sources: Official Journal No. 1465 of 15 July 2020 (copy on FAO FAOLEX); Decree No. 2024-027 (ILO NATLEX); UN ESCWA Arab Business Legislative Frameworks profile for Mauritania (2023).