Yemen's consumer protection framework is Consumer Protection Law No. 46 of 2008, issued on 7 September 2008, which sets consumer rights and supplier duties, enables redress and establishes penalties.
One of the law's objectives is to protect consumers' health and the safety and quality of goods and services (Article 3(2)). Article 5 guarantees consumer rights, including health and safety, accurate information, fair treatment and full compensation for damage caused by products. Articles 6 to 21 set supplier duties, such as stating accurate prices, issuing invoices and giving all necessary product information and instructions. Under Article 14, suppliers must guarantee quality and hidden defects, provide after-sales service and spare parts, and refund or replace products that do not work properly.
Chapter 6 establishes a Higher Committee for Consumer Protection, and the competent department monitors implementation and receives complaints (Article 30). Its officers have judicial police powers to investigate, take samples and refer violations to the Public Prosecutor (Article 32), and Articles 34 to 36 set fines and penalties. The same duties apply to sales on digital platforms (Article 4(a)).
Related instruments: the law's Executive Regulation (Prime Minister's Decision No. 272 of 2010), Law No. 5 of 2007 on Internal Trade, and Law No. 44 of 1999 on Standards, Metrology and Quality Control. Note: two rival authorities, in Aden and Sana'a, apply and enforce the law separately, so check which one governs the market concerned.
Sources: text of Law No. 46 of 2008 on WIPO Lex and FAO FAOLEX; UN ESCWA Arab Business Legislative Frameworks profile for Yemen (2023).