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Electronic Commerce Proc 1205.2020
Electronic Commerce Proc 1205.2020
FEDERAL NEGARIT GAZETTE
OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
'() Content
A+, -." /0123/1051 6.! Proclamation No.1205/2020
89:;
<=>< A+, …@A 51032B/ Electronic Transaction Proclamation…..Page 12,581
89:;
<=><<
<=><< CD <@E A+, PROCLAMATION TO PROVIDE FOR
ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS
I
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with
@ D<Ec A<GA x3 (/) D{F Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal
UNC( d(|} Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby
proclaimed as follows:
fW A+, “89:;
<=>< A+, This Proclamation may be cited as the
-." /0123/1051” Y $G[ f } “Electronic Transaction Proclamation No.
1205/2020”.
1. "S 2. Definition
vs A@% 9 "O! UP$( w In this Proclamation, unless the context requires
[G" ^W A+, ([.- otherwise,:
1/ “QS<” A<\ !\ U " 2/ “Domain” means the part of a network
A A
DC [! (] address that identifies it as belonging to a
particular domain.
/ “"[ J\” 'C A_X GD$ P( 4/ Source code is a computer code in the form
U '>< % of text used to express instructions at a
GF J!KL" J\ f! high-level that is human readable and note
yet converted to a machine readable format
:E
! 'C (]
3/ “O J\” 'C !< J\< 5/ Object code is a computer code which is the
E6 CD(P\ EI AGI% output from a compiler that has compiled
D$G! '>< % GF said source code.
J!KL" J\ 'C (]
/ “A`!” 'C [ GD" w< [ 6/ Algorithm : A rule or procedure for solving a
GD" 'C A<\< E" CDXd problem.
!<NC( j !N (]
5// “89:;” 'C N§TYo A<¨" 11/ “electronic” means the technology of
89a 'Eda O¦ f! utilizing electrical, magnetic, optical,
9 Dggf Aj! C( D$GU electromagnetic, or similar capacities
D<@\ (] regardless of the medium;
51/ “89:; <E\” 'C I<"< 12/ “electronic commerce” means transaction
f! 9Y DFq DF< D$G! of goods and services through the Internet
U FE ©Gª I A@EYb Ef or other information networks;
f! ((. (]
5/ "89:; <E\ A<Ggv>" 'C 13/ “electronic commerce operator” means a
I<" f! 9 DFq DF person that engages in the business activities
A'h ©Gª < D©. f! of selling commodities or providing services
A@EYb < 'jF <E\ c
f through the Internet or other information
P'
P( (] network;
5/ "89:; <E\ R"! A<Ggv>" 14/ “electronic commerce platform operator”
'C 89:; <E\ _CI N^ means legal entities who, in electronic
f w« P
g( <E\ c
commerce, provide two or multiple parties
C'¬\ E<
s G.d
> w« with online sites for business operations,
\F@ < UG"a UG
"a match-making, information release and
I<R"S>< UCjI 9Y A@EYb < other services, for the latter to carry out
trading activities independently;
UP. \", (]
53/ "89:; P\" 'C 89:; 15/ “electronic document” means document,
j"A C P\a D@a I<R"S><a record, information, communication or
JV;>< f!
<=>< (] transaction in electronic form;
5/ "89:; DE" 'C 89:; 16/ “electronic message” means information
D<@\ f! 9Y Dggf p and electronic document created, sent,
A'h Da Na FP f! received, or stored by electronic means or
N' I<R"S>< (] any other similar means;
gA 51032B Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12584
5/ "89:; D@" 'C 89:; 17/ “electronic record” means a written
D<@\ Da N'a FP f! document, or other record generated, stored,
P
A®X P\ f! D@ received, or communicated by electronic
(] means;
5/ "89:; ¤"'" 'C N89:;[ 18/ “electronic signature” means information
DE " p i
U(< in electronic form in, affixed to or logically
CDCI 89:; DEn ([. associated with, an electronic message,
( I<R"S>< i
U( ¯ G which may be used to identify the signatory
in relation to the data message and to
f! G%f @° Dw«< C'DN
indicate the signatory’s approval of the
.j! f U( 89:; DE
information contained in the data message;
([. Ca 89:; DEn f
C$i f! N89:; DEn
" !<d w A±²< ³
°
89:; D C I<R"S>< (]
5£/ "89:;
<=><" 'C <Ggv> 19/ “electronic transaction” means the
[<I 9Y DP D´ < !: conducting of businesses over computer
J!K(" d@p I<R"S>< DF mediated networks including mobile phones
c
< 'NI< w<a 89:; and other devices, and shall include, but is
<E\<I 89:; D<Ec not limited to, electronic commerce and
electronic government services;
A@EY< f!
]
/ "Q I¦ QSf< [! ¥d" 'C 20/ ".et domain name space" means .et Country
Af8[O 3166-1 6C!AGX Fq Code Top Level Domain which is the top
F@( ! % D{F I<" level of the Internet domain name system
c"6 NX Fq w( %C_C assigned according to the two-letter codes in
the International Standard ISO 3166-1 to
¤ JQ D{F CI Cfb
Ethiopia;
P$ Q I¦ A@" DC NX
Fq QSf< (]
// “I<R"S><” 'C A_X<a DE<a 21/ “information” shall include text, message,
ud<a \!A<a ud e<a ¸
<a data, voice, sound, database, video, signals,
!b <a X¹"<a J!KL" software, computer programs, including
:E
<a O J\<I "[ J\< object codes and source codes;
f!
]
1/ "I<R"S>< c"6" 'C I<R"S>< 22/ “information system” means a system for
UD
a UaUGa UN' a generating, sending, receiving, storing or
f! 9 D<@\ U< c"6 otherwise processing information;
(]
/ "D A@Ih" 'C A<\< P( 23/ “intermediary” means a person, who, on
DN 89:; DE< Ua behalf of another person, sends, receives or
UGa UN' a f! N89:; stores such an electronic message or
DE " º ( 9Y provides other services with respect to that
A@EYb < UG" P( (] electronic message;
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/ "DNC R"! A<Ggv>" 'C 24/ “intra-platform operator” means an entity
89:; <E\ R"! A'h which aggregates electronic commerce
©Gª < U©» f! A@EYb < operators that sell commodities or provide
UG"¼ 89:; <E\ A<Ggv½ < services through an electronic commerce
C 'EGX A
,b Uf \", platform in different categories;
(]
3/ "U;[§"" f! ‘’U;["’’ 'C 25/ “Ministry” or “Minister” means the
E< j ! Ns ITÀ><I §TYo Ministry or the Minister of Innovation and
U;[§" f! U;[" (] Technology; respectively;
/ " W< c"6" 'C 28/ “security procedure” means a procedure for
the purpose of :
C) 89:; DEb P
Å b) detecting an error or alteration in the
fpd( f! ! d( f communication, content or storage of
UdL E\ib I C(ª < A`! an electronic message from a specific
EI JQ < D$G!a vb < f! period of time, which requires the use
-.: < DCa DD[$ f! of algorithms or codes, identifying
d- Æ b <I DP Dg < words or numbers, encryption or known
D$G! DEb < C procedures and similar devices for
UFE. c"6 (] originality of messages;
£/ "i
U" 'C ¤"' DX$ ud pa 29/ “signatory” means a person who holds
EI
Á f! 9(< P( Y signature creation data and who acts either
U{
P( (] on his own behalf or on behalf of the person
he represents;
Ç/ "P(" 'C i.: P( f! E 30/ person” means a physical or legal person;
P( D P$( A (]
Ç// '<(! <\ d @C¯( \< 31/ Any expression in the masculine gender
È<! f!
} includes the feminine.
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i¨U (}
1/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) @@( 2/ Without prejudice to Sub-Article (1) of this
E< $G wT fW A+,Ê Article this Proclamation shall not apply to
any law requiring writing or signatures for
the following matters:
. 89:;
<=>< A[@u, ACDw« 4. Use not Mandatory
'<(! P( iv hn< E[P$ \F[ Nothing shall make it mandatory for a person to
'<(! <E\ E<j[vÈ f! ND<Ec use, provide or accept any electronic message in
e' " %C( E<Ð 89:; any commercial transaction or dealings with
DE< E<
$G!a E<
G" f! government bodies unless the person consents to
E<
G Af@ \!} the using, providing or accepting of the
electronic message.
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3. ³ e ѤI E%" 5. Regulatory Authorities and their Powers and
Functions
// U;[§ fW< A+, fiA'][iA'] 1/ The Ministry shall execute, and cause to be
executed this Proclamation; it shall also
CA+É i¨U 9Y D<Ecd EI
coordinate and lead government and private
E e < [%
a fD
} entities for the implementation of this
Proclamation.
1/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) c" 2/ In performing the powers and functions
@O E%: < EI Ѥb < stipulated under Sub-Article (1) of this
CDi¯! U;[§Ê Article, the Ministry shall in particular issue
directives on the following:
F)
89:; ` f) federal electronic register of laws;
D@<]
P) 89:; DE AD
" EI g) management and maintenance of the
A$%j] electronic message;
. Ô
od IJTU (<[ Dee! 6. Establishment of the National Digital
Economy Council
/ !" #n Pg $jf U;[ 3/ The chair of the Council shall be assigned
fP'] U;[ !" #n< AWi by the Prime minister; The ministry shall
# ([»
q organize the office of the council..
// I<R"S>< 89:; DE fp 1/ Information shall not be denied legal effect
DjF¼ (r E<ufTF( solely on the ground that it is in the form of
A "E!} an electronic message.
1/ I<R"S>< 89:; DE ([. 2/ Information shall not be denied legal effect
b ACDjF¼I (r solely on the grounds that it is not contained
E<
TF( % F@( ^W DE ([. in the electronic message that gives rise to
D$GÁ I<R"S>« CNC P( such legal effect, but is merely referred to in
> Dw< U Nw (r that electronic message, provided that the
information being referred to is accessible to
E<ufTF( A "E!}
the person against whom the referred
information might be used.
. A_ X 8. Writing
'<(! I<R"S>< A_X E<
G" Where the law requires information to be in
E Ed NC fW I<R"S>< writing, that requirement is met by an electronic
89:; D NGF f! NGD$a message if the information contained therein is
> Nwa EI Gf C'DgN rendered or made available in an electronic
D+ U Nw I<R"S>«< AG
F form; is accessible; and is capable of being
retained for subsequent references.
A[Db $G( j\D _d E<
Õ f³$
}
gA 51032B£ Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12589
£. ¤"' 9. Signature
// '<(! P\ ¤"' E<
"X E 1/ Where the signature of a person is required
Ed NC EI ( ¤"' G%f by law and such law does not specify the
E<uC( O @C¯a 89:;[ type of signature, that requirement in
GF( ¤"' E $GP( j\D relation to an electronic message is met only
_d E< Õ U³$F(Ê if:
l (}
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (1) @@( 3/ Sub-Article (2) of this Article does not limit
T"! A<\< P( 89:; ¤"'< the right of a person to prove the
C f! C ACDw< authenticity of an electronic signature in any
'<(! D<@\ 'F@. fla other lawful way;
/ '<(! 89:;
<=>< 4/ The Electronic Signature Proclamation shall
¤"'< A[Db ^W A+, %©i« apply to any signature in any electronic
Ou 89:; ¤"' A+, i¨U transaction which is not covered by this
fwI} Proclamation.
gA
51032× Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12590
E P\ f '! E<
"X Ed Where a law requires a seal to be affixed to a
NC PÎ 89:; DE j"A document, the requirement of the law is
NGFI 89:; ¤"' D{F
od fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an
¤"' Fi E GD$( j\D _d electronic message, by a digital signature as
E< Õ f³$
} provided under the Electronic Signature
Proclamation.
5/.
5/. E'h 11. Witness
E P\ f E' ¤"' E<
"X Where a law requires the signature of a witness
Ed NCa PÎ 89:; DE on a document, the requirement of the law is
j"A NGF EI ^W A+, A<GA £ fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an
GD$( Dci" UÕ ![" electronic message, by an electronic signature of
the witness that complies with the requirements
89:; ¤"' Fi E GD$(
of Article 9 of this Proclamation.
j\D _d E< Õ f³$
}
51.
51. +I j,
j, 12. Original Copy
C) I<R"S>« D 6'< b) in the light of the purpose for which the
DDN] EI information was generated; and
5.
5. G%f EI '[Fq 13. Admissibility and Evidential Weight
C) 89:; DEn fp gfG" b) the reliability of the manner in which the
³ D<@\ A[''h] integrity of the electronic message was
maintained;
) DEn AD< Cfb dG c) the manner in which its originator was
D<@\] EI identified; and
5.
5. '[GD. 14. Retention
1/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<G (/) @O 2/ The requirements referred to in Sub-Article
j\D _d à [ @T (1) of this Article are satisfied by using the
UP ( A@EYb E< & services of a third party.
f³$
s}
gA 51032×1 Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12592
/ <U[ A<GA (/) EI (1) D{F PQ a 4/ The obligation to retain documents,
DEb f! I<R"S>< E<
GD» messages or information in accordance with
C( Ed DEb < CD f! the provisions of Sub-Articles (1) and (2) of
CDG % l .j! f +s this Article shall not apply to any document
DEb f i¨U Afw<!} the sole purpose of which is to enable the
message to be sent or received.
53.
53. j, EI AØØ
AØØX
ØØX 15. Copy and Prescribed Form
// E PQ NA<\ f w« jo 1/ Where a law requires any document to be
DGD.a DjFa D f! D[$ retained, served, sent or delivered in more
AC%( 'C N @@] PÎ than one copy, the requirement of the law is
89:; DE NGD$a NGFa fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an
NN f! NP$ E GD$( electronic message, by retention, service,
sending or delivery of the document in one
j\D _d E< Õ f³$
}
copy.
1/ E PQ dpp( AØØX E<
G"¼ 2/ Where a law requires any document to be in
N @@a 89:; DE w P\ a prescribed form, the requirement of the
E @@(< j\D _d AÕÙ law is fulfilled by a document in the form of
U%C( 89:; DEnÊ an electronic message if the electronic
message is:
Ä) Ndpp( j"A " Dggf f! a) formatted in the same or substantially the
A=( Dggf w DZ same way as the prescribed form;
R"' F@ Nw]
C) Gf C'DgN D+ b) accessible and intelligible so as to be
E<
>I U ] usable for subsequent reference; and
EI
) 9 P( " GD. U Nw c) capable of being retained by the other
(} person.
5.
5. X EI FPh 16. Payment and Receipt
C) 89:; DEn FG FPh b) the electronic message fulfills all the
fp< UÕ] E< ^_! elements of a paper-based receipt; and
Nw (}
5.
5. [C( AD{
F 17. Formation of Contracts
N( AD{
F " p ++f @T In the context of contract formation, unless
N^W v
; ['V [G"] ( otherwise agreed by the parties, an offer, the
AG
Fa ( AG%a ( AG
F G acceptance of an offer, the revocation of an
Dw<a ( AG% G Dw<a f! 9Y offer, the revocation of an acceptance, or any
related communication may be wholly or partly
DFq ((ª Vs f! N¤
expressed by means of electronic message.
89:; D<@\ @CÛ f s}
5.
5. ` < 89:; D<@\ '! 18. Electronic Publication of Laws
E E<
d! Ed NC O 89:; Where the law requires that a law shall be
D<@\ NdD E GD$( j\D _d published, the requirement of the law is fulfilled
E< Õ f³$
} if it is published electronically.
MESSAGES
5£.
5£. 89:; DE !<
19. Origin of Electronic Message
C) DEn NAD<( f! NÂs b) the electronic message comes from the
" C( E<Ð] AD<( actions of a person whose relationship
U( DEb E"Á with the originator or any agent of the
E< w« UgL p < E<
@h originator enabled that person to gain
access to a method used by the
DlC P( Ni¯'( E%:
originator to identify electronic
D Nw (}
messages as its own.
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (1) $GP( 3/ Notwithstanding Sub-Article (2) of this
T"!] N9Y !<b %@"Ê Article electronic message shall be
considered invalid where. inter alias
/ DE G%L DEn DD( 4/ The addressee has to regard each electronic
DE j, Dw«< G f! (j message received as a separate new
U _d N9C [G"] electronic message and to act on that
E<u<Î< 89:; DE<
Á< assumption, except to the extent that he
lC A
[ DE A\"` D-$"I knew or was able to know that the electronic
C^W! Dh w E"!q D(P\ message is a duplicate of the first one.
f@%+}
1/ DFq AD<( 89:; DEn 2/ Where the originator states that the
(r UTF( NDE G%L electronic message shall be valid on receipt
'F@) P$( E< w @ Nw] of the acknowledgement by the addressee,
G%f DEn [CD\FÁ N( the electronic message is deemed as though
'F@) CAD<( E[NU "P( \F[ it has never been sent until the
DEn E<uN "` f³$
} acknowledgement is received.
/ 'F@)( GD$( Ó @ ([. 3/ Where the acknowledgement has not been
f! F@( [!! D{F received by the originator within the time
CAD<( FPa f! Ó @ specified or agreed or, if no time has been
GD$a f! Ó< A[Db specified or agreed, within a reasonable
FP [!! N9C @ ( Y time, the originator:
U³$" Ó ([. 'F@)( FP]
AD<(Ê
/.
/. 89:; DEb DÂ EI 21. Time and Place of Dispatch, and Receipt of
DG ÓI ¥d Electronic Message
1.
1. C(. f! [W (r 22. Effect of Change or Error
1/ C(. f! [W i¯D A 2/ The party who commits the change or error
CGF( f! Cgg( 89:; shall be held accountable for the changed or
DE $& (} erroneous electronic message.
/ DE AD< f! G%f $& 3/ If an individual is either the originator or the
'fw( [Wn Âs i¯D NwI addressee of an electronic message, he shall
Âs [Wn E<
dF! E\ Dl not be held accountable where the error was
Nw (} made by an individual dealing with an agent
if that agent did not provide an opportunity
to correct the error.
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) $GP( 4/ For the purpose of Sub-Article (1) of this
D{F NP< [W @p AÊ Article, the person noticing an error shall:
Ä) [Wn< f! C(»<
(« a) promptly notify the other person of the
9( P( E<
(G( '\FE error that he is not expectedly held
EI CGC( DE $& responsible for the message received;
E< 'fw< 'gj AC] and
E< ^_!
.
. A[
A[¤ 23. Mere Conduit
Ä) ["
n< DFq c"6 ([. a) for the sole purpose of carrying out the
CDGj l Nw] transmission in the information system;
) C["
n NU[i@( f C'f³f c) for storage for a period not longer than is
Ó UN' Nw] (} reasonably necessary for the
transmission.
.
. f¡ '³ 24. Caching
D A@IÐ 89:; D@ f¡ An intermediary shall not be liable for the
U³( 89:; DEn< C'E° automatic, intermediate and temporary storage
C$- G% DEn< f. Gm of that electronic record, in case the intention of
w _d C'[CX Nw] E< ^_!Ê such a storage of electronic record is to make the
onward transmission of the electronic message
more efficient to other recipients who requested
for it, as long as the intermediary:
2/ 89:; D@
> _d < 2/ complies with the conditions for access to
NF] the electronic record;
3/ 89:; DE jd '\FE< 3/ complies with rules regarding the updating
DCN I<Î[( ([. [m of the electronic message, specified in a
E(jI @ÐI .j! f N+s <¥ " manner widely recognized and used by the
U['' Nw] industry;
4/ 89:; DE Ã DFq 4/ does not interfere with the lawful use of
N'E° " pa I<Î[( technology widely recognized and used by
[m G%f @°I .j! f N+C the industry, to obtain information relating
§TYo A$vG! " 'fF[ to the use of the electronic message; and
Nw] EI
gA 51032×£ Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12599
5/ 89:; DFq(< E<
[E\ f! 5/ removes or disables access to the electronic
> E<ufw< .¢ G"C fW<« message it has stored upon receiving a take-
UiA! Nw] down notice.
3.
3. '[GD. 25. Hosting
.
. I<R"S>< 'E Dg 26. Information Location Tools
D A@Ih @ < [ @T < An intermediary shall not be liable for damages
D U.Á 89:; DEb incurred when it refers or links users to a website
f! .P E%
< Ã \F-@ containing infringing electronic messages or
UD f! NE^W \F @ " infringing activities, where:
U@Ih NwÊ
// I<R"S>« f! NI<R"S>« " 1/ it is not aware that the information or activity
p( E%" [ @T < D relating to the information infringes the
U.[ [CDw« E<=# N9C(] rights of third party;
/ NE% " G. º C( 4/ it does not receive a financial benefit directly
@<p .j! @°] f! attributable to the infringing activity; or
3/ 89:; DEn [ @< 5/ removes, or disables access to the
Db < U.[ Dw« N@C¯C ² information relating to the electronic
N89:; DEn " Ã message within a reasonable time after
I<R"S>T < AE% %C( Ó being informed that such electronic message
([. E<
@Î f!
> E<ufw« infringes the rights of third parties.
F@]
C FP( Ou $& Afw<!}
.
. f(F\ '[d& [CD[$ 27. Take-down Notification
// C[ @T
> N F@ 1/ A person who have complaints with regard
I<R"S>< " p jËd C( to information made available to third
A jËd(< CD A@IÐa parties shall notify, in writing, their
CUDCN( A@EY Pa f! complaints with regard to the unlawful
C Âs A_X 'gj AC} activity to the intermediary or to the
concerned service provider or its designated
agent.
1/ jËd C( A ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA 2/ Apart from the requesting the information to
(/) I<R"S>« E<
"\ ND$j be taken down in accordance with Sub
%@"Ê Article 1 of this Article , the notification
shall include:
Ä) A#nd Aj
(< Vs [!a a) full name, address, telephone number and
A\
a [ -."I IS electronic mail contacts of the
A\
] complainant;
C) A#nd Aj
(< A_X f! b) the written or electronic signature of the
89:; ¤"'] complainant;
) Á Db EI \"Ón @. c) rights that have been infringed and
[CDw« '
] justification of the unlawful activity;
gA 5102/ Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12601
/ P GF '[d& D{F DFq 4/ An intermediary is not liable for a takedown
'(F\ E%" i¯D D A@Ih in response to a wrongful notification.
Ѥ Af$j!}
<U[ X A
SUB-SECTION FOUR
©'Ò D .v CONSUMER PROTECTION
.
. UG"¼ DFq 28. Information to be Provided
// ©Gª < EI A@EYb < 89:; 1/ A supplier offering goods and services by
<=>< A'h UG" Aj
Ê way of an electronic transaction shall make
the following information available to
consumers on the website where such goods
or services to be offered are hosted:
Ä) Vs [V<a A\
(<a [ a) its full name, physical address, telephone
-.<a \F@AI ISf number, and website and e-mail
A\
(<] address;
) Aj
( @º wC< c- c) any code of conduct to which that
!E%" <I ©'Ö c-!E%" supplier subscribes and how the
<¼< 89:; D<@\ 'E° consumer may access that code of
U < AE%] conduct electronically;
{) Aj
( PQ < UG< e) the physical address where that supplier
A\
] will receive legal service of documents;
gA 51021 Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12602
P)
<[á" <a d[ EI g) the full price of the goods and services,
9Y X < f! < including transport costs, taxes and any
!: ©GªÖ< EI A@EYbÖ< other fees or costs;
Vs +]
) ©GªÖ C©' UZ EI j) the period of time within which the goods
A@EYbÖ C©' U "Á will be dispatched or delivered or
Ó<] within which the services will be
rendered;
) ©$ Ev< [CDDC[a [CDC. l) the return, exchange and refund policy of
EI i¯D< X D> '\FE< that supplier in respect of goods and
UDCN Aj
( UNC( payment;
á]
â) Aj
( @º wC A'
m) any alternative dispute resolution code to
E
DXl < EI ©'Ö ^W< which that supplier subscribes and how
< "" fp 89:; the details and or contents of that code
D<@\ 'E° U AE%] may be accessed electronically by the
consumer;
) NXI ©'Ö E DFq " n) the security procedures and privacy
p Aj
( UNC( W< policy of that supplier in respect of
c"6b EI U[.
á] payment and personal data of the
EI consumer; and
1/ Aj
( C©'Ò Ê 2/ The supplier shall provide a consumer with
an opportunity:
Ä) Vs 89:;
<=>«< a) to review the entire electronic transaction;
E<
@DEV]
C) [Wb < E<
[s] EI b) to correct any mistakes; and
/ Aj
( ^W A<GA <U[ AGA (/) EI 3/ If a supplier fails to comply with the Sub-
(1) $GÁ< \< Õ ©'Ö Article (1) and (2) of this Article the
©GªÖ< EI A@EYb < GC 5 consumer may cancel the transaction within
GI ([.
<=>«< P"p( f } 14 days of receiving the goods or services
under the transaction.
/
<=>« ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA () 4/ If a transaction is cancelled as per Sub-
D{F NPFpÊ Article (3) of this Article:
Ä) ©'Ö NAj
( DC< !" a) the consumer shall return the
fDg] f! E<uE%n performance of the supplier or, where
GFC< A@EY D$G! ³'a applicable, cease using the services
provided; and
C) Aj
( i¯D(< Vs X b) the supplier shall refund all payments
D> "} made by the consumer less the direct
cost of returning the goods.
3/ Aj
(
<=>« C¬ ÓI 5/ The supplier shall utilize a payment system
C
<=>« UD.<a G%f C(I that is sufficiently secure with reference to
Fq(< $G §TYo D$G! accepted technological standards at the time
W<n U@% F@$ X c"6 of the transaction and the type of transaction
f@
} concerned.
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (3) C< 6/ The supplier shall be liable for any damage
Ed %CDn ©'Ö f Ou "[ suffered by a consumer due to its failure to
Aj
( C FP( Ou $& (} comply with Sub-Article (5) of this Artice.
£.
£. ( 'eF. 29. Termination of Contract
// ©GªÖ< %W"f dg '\FE ©'Ö C 1/ Depending upon the nature of the goods
!<! !< EI j Ev(< delivered, a consumer may cancel without
NGC G< !: %s P% () reason and penalty an electronic transaction
GI ([. f! A@EYbÖ< DG and any related credit agreement for the
supply of goods within seven (7) days after
NDF ² %s P% () GI
the date of the receipt of the goods; or of
([. 89:;
<=>«< P"p(
services within seven (7) days after the date
f }
he started to receive the services.
gA 5102 Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12604
1/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) $GP( 2/ The only charge that may be levied on the
i¨U w< ©'Ö f U@%( consumer in those cases under Sub-Article
X ©G»< D> C'\FE U (1) of this Article is the direct cost of
G. l (} returning the goods.
/ ©'Ö ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) 3/ If payment for the goods or services has
@C¯(< D E%
N'\FO ¤ been effected prior to a consumer exercising
C©GªÖ f! CA@EYbÖ X iA a right referred to in Sub-Article (1) of this
Nwa ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (1) Article, the consumer shall be entitled to a
$GP( NVs X( f full refund of such payment minus the
amount due as provided in Sub-Article (2)
GI> "` '[DC[ D AC(]
of this Article, which refund shall be made
X( D> U FEC (s NPFp
within thirty (30) days from the date of
² %s Ç GI ([. (}
cancellation.
Ç/.
Ç/. ( AiØÚ! 31. Contract Performance
1/ Aj
( E=Ã< Ç GI ([. f! 2/ Where a supplier has failed to execute the
9 ['V Ó ([. iÚD order within 30 days or within the agreed
©'Ö E^W ( DiÚU Ó period, the consumer may after the
E< $IG- P% GI '[$<G& expiration of that period cancel the
agreement with seven days’ written notice.
D[$ [!!n< P" f }
gA 51023 Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12605
/ Aj
( C'jF [''%( ©Gª 3/ If a supplier is unable to comply with the
f! A@EYb 'f@Ð NDwI( terms of agreement on the grounds that the
g [!! EdÖ< DiÚ! goods or services ordered are unavailable,
lC fW<« E(d C©'Ö
(« the supplier shall immediately notify the
'gj ©'Ö iÚD(< '<(<! consumer of this fact and refund any
payments made by consumer within seven
X P% GI ([. D> '\FE
days after the date of such notification.
AC}
Ç1.
Ç1. (
A@
` iØ
iØU 32. Applicability of Foreign Law
Ç.
Ç. G 'f FO Db 33. Non-Exclusion
1/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) \< 2/ the rights of a consumer provided for in any
T"! 9 '<(! E ([. other law which give the consumer a better
C©'Ò C D UP» \< protection shall find application not
iØU fT
+} withstanding Sub-Article (1) of this Article.
Ç.
Ç. A#nd [C'jF 34. Complaints
©'Ö Aj
( Z iÚV EI ^W< A consumer may lodge a complaint with the
A+, \< U¨F \"Ób < Ministry in respect of any non-compliance with
A[Db CU;[§" Dc #n jËd(< the provisions of this Proclamation by any
G" f } supplier.
1/ A<\ D<E[ e! ^W A<GA 2/ Where a public body performs any of the
<U[ A<GA (/) DCNn< E%
functions referred to in Sub-Article (1) of
this Article, such body may specify:
NI(<Ê
Ä) D@ A _da PQ j"A a) mode of archiving, its format and its
EI DEb UP
Å< AE%] transmission modalities;
D) 89:; DEb < CI d) the system to check the authenticity and
+I j, DwI(< C'F@. EI originality of electronic messages as
A[''h _d $G( well as their safe retention; and
U³L< _d CDi> .j! f
U( c"6] EI
({) Nf N$GÁ PQ " @I° e) any other element deemed useful to the
C89:; DE EI X electronic message and modes of
p $vU I( C( payments relating to above-mentioned
UdP¼ 9Y A[iÓ XY <] documents.
/ D<E[ e' C89:; DEb 2/ Public bodies shall use advanced security
EI C89:; ¤"' A$vG! requirements for the use of electronic
- W< D[i"b < D$G! messages and electronic signatures.
AC%(}
Ç.
Ç.
89:; Dee! 36. Establishment of the Federal Electronic
Negarit Gazeta
//
E w 1/ The Federal Electronic Negarit Gazeta, a
!" # $%& U Federal Law Electronic Gazette published
89:; ^W under the umbrella of the House of Peoples'
A+, e-Õ} Representatives, is hereby established.
1/
'eeU A+, 2/ Without prejudice to Article 2 of the Federal
A<GA 1 @@( E< $G wTÊ Negarit Gazeta Proclamation;
Ä) '<(!
D<Ec E a) all laws of the Federal Government shall
U(
s 89:; be published in the Federal Electronic
(] Negarit Gazeta;
gA 5102 Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12607
C) '<(!
EI E b) all Federal and Regional Legislative,
A(a A[i¨Ua EI "U Executive and Judicial Organs as well
E<
_! '<(! P(
as any person shall take judicial notice
89:; U of laws published in the Federal
E< DG Ed AC] Electronic Negarit Gazeta; and
)
89:; c) the Federal Electronic Negarit Gazeta
UdD( A'" EI E<Ep shall be published in both the Amharic
e<e (] _Cn e<e and English languages; in case of
DN fp L Ui$" discrepancy between the two versions
Ó A'"( f fTF+} the Amharic shall prevail.
/ '<(! E
89:; 3/ any law is published in the Federal
d f} Electronic Negarit Gazeta
Ç.
Ç.
89:; ` D@ 37. Establishment of the Federal Electronic
Dee! Register of Laws
//
E w 1/ The Federal Electronic Register of Laws, a
!" # $%& U Federal Law Electronic Gazette published
89:; ` D@ under the umbrella of the House of Peoples'
^W A+, e-Õ} Representatives, is hereby established.
1/
'eeU A+, 2/ Without prejudice what is provided under
A<GA 1 @@( E< $G wTÊ Article 2 of the Federal Negarit Gazeta
Proclamation;
Ä) '<(!
A[i¨U A a) the Federal Electronic Register of Laws
U ( DD U» publishes, directives of the Federal
89:; ` D@ executive body;
(]
C) '<(!
EI E b) all Federal and Regional Legislative,
A(a A[i¨Ua EI "U Executive and Judicial Organs as well
E<
_! '<(! i.: P( as any natural or juridical person shall
f! E P( D P$( take judicial notice of subsidiary laws
A
89:; ` published in the Federal Electronic
D@ U E< DG Ed Register of Laws;
AC]
)
89:; ` D@ c) the Federal Electronic Register of Laws
UdD( A'" EI E<Ep shall be published in both the Amharic
e<e (] _Cn e<e and English languages; in case of
DN fp L Ui$" discrepancy between the two versions
Ó A'"( f fTF+} the Amharic shall prevail.
/ DD
89:; ` 3/ The date of publication of directives in the
D@ d » G< O Federal Electronic Register of Laws shall be
dD G< E< w f³$
} deemed to be the date of publication
3/ <U[ A<GA () C< Ed 5/ In order for it to fulfill its mandate under
D f p<\a
s A[i¨U Sub-Article (4), government bodies shall
A U (< DD a have the obligation to provide hard and soft
E%
ND F( ¤ FG EI copies of directives to the Ministry, such
89:; j, CU;[§ 'jF copies shall be in both the Amharic and
Ed AC%(] E^W j, A'" English languages.
EI E<Ep e<e DjF AC%(}
Ç.
Ç. QS< [! Ëo[
" 38. Appointment of the Registrar of Domain
Names
Ç£.
Ç£. %Cc
%Cc«
c« c<I Ѥ 39. Power and Responsibilities of the Authority
() !@% PÎ AI $vU c) the maintenance of, and public access to,
NPÎ DFq U@Ð AE%] the registry.
C) A@" ([.I 9Y A% b) shall conduct research into and keep
NQSf< [! c"6 " p abreast of developments in Ethiopia and
elsewhere on the domain name system;
dL C(ª Ã !"!: <
Æu]
) Q I¦ QSf< [! ` < c) shall continually survey and evaluate the
X` !< W Fq E<uÕ extent to which the “.et” domain name
space meets the needs of the citizens of
Gf $Ia f@DE'] EI Ethiopia; and
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (3) $GÁ 6/ Those parties referred in Sub-Article (5) of
EI Q I¦ QSf< ',D<I this Article and have vested rights and
A[u " f
g( Db I .j interests in the management and
ã( e Ê administration of the “.et” domain space
shall be:
å. QSf< [ < Civ\ '[u " 40. Administering Domain Names without
Authority
1/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) @CÚ( 2/ Due to the commission of the act stated
\"Ó DiÚV !< [ @< under Sub Article (1) of this Article, if the
.j! f Ou " Nw f! Ngæ interst of third party has been affected or it
\"Ón< iÚD( C
Á f! C[ has been committed with the intent to
acquire undue benefit for himself/herself or
@< @% .j! C'[@° A[¥ Nw
third party the punishment Shall be rigorous
NA<\ 6D E[N A![ 6D imprisonment from one year up to five
U "[ A« E[
fG years.
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) EI (1) 3/ where the acts stated under Sub Articles 1
$GP( \"Ó iÚD( WE and 2 of this Article have been committed
P( P$( e! w Ó E< by a legal person the punishment shall be a
AE%n N" A<\ Db 0W (100,000 fine note less than one hundred thousand
") '<[ @<p j U[G (100,000 ) Ethiopian Birr.
fwI
X A
PART FOUR
L L \< MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
å/.
å/. A<Ggv½ Ed 41. Duties of Operators
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (1) ([. 3/ The duties of electronic commerce platform
89:; <E\ R"! A<Ggv½ operators under Sub-Article (2) of this
f s Ed 89:; <E\ Article shall also apply towards electronic
DNC A<Ggv½ f iØU I(} commerce intra-platform operators.
gA 51025/ Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12611
/ A<Ggv½ C@ NUG"é( !" 4/ Operators shall ensure that local products
EI A@EY ([. x% UWC( A@" and services constitute at least 50% of their
([. !" EI A@EY Dw«< offer.
'F@. AC%(}
3/ i< DE A@EY P 5/ The role of express logistic service providers
89:; Ef ([. ( UI in electronic commerce is recognized
E(jI P.bd}
å1.
å1. ACDE%%b < DXl D<@Q 42. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
/ ^W A<GA <U[ A<GA (/) EI (1) 3/ Any unresolved disagreement between
c" U\- Ou DXÔ @Ð parties which fall within the ambit of Sub-
ACDE%%b ^W A+,a EI fW< A+, Articles (1) and (2) of this Article shall be
D{F '\FE U» <¥ f! submitted to arbitration in accordance with
DD D{F EE uh the rules of arbitration of a dispute
c"6 G"¥ E% @} settlement mechanism established under this
Proclamation and the regulations and
directives thereunder.
å.
å. U[."
U[." D$j Ed 43. Obligation of Confidentiality
// ^W A+, f! AE% %C( 9 1/ With the exception of persons authorized by
E NiG ( P [G" this Proclamation or other relevant law,
89:;[ DEb <a 9Y A®X persons who can access electronic
PQ < f! 9Y 89:; messages, any other written documents or
Dg < 'E° U '<(! other electronic devices have the obligation
to keep them confidential.
P( ^W AE% @°(< U[."
D$j Ed AC}
1/ ^W <U[ A<G (1) @@( P 2/ In case of Violation of what is stipulated in
E< w \"Ón < O \< Sub-Article (1) of this Article, the act shall
D{F UPG fwI be punishable according to the provisions of
the Criminal Code.
å.
å. iØ
iØU 'fw« ` 44. Inapplicable Laws
N^W A+, " UvF< '<(! E ^W Any law which is inconsistent with this
A+, ([. DCNn Ou f iØU Proclamation shall not be applicable with respect
C(!} to matters provided for in this Proclamation.
gA 510251 Ød‰L U¶T Uz¤È qÜ_R x P qN 1051 ›.M Federal Negarit Gazette No. 57, 30th June, 2020 …....page 12612
å3.
å3. <I DD '( c< 45. Powers to Issue Regulations and Directives
å.
å. A+É UÚ
UÚI Ó 46. Effective Date
fW A+, !" #n NÚ G G< !: This Proclamation shall enter into force as of the
E%
fwI} date ratified by the House.
A
[ A% P G< 1051 6/! Done at Addis Ababa, on this 30th day of June,
202ዐ .
I
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL
Ë^u< DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA