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Consumer Protection

Course developer

Prior knowledge

JurZ2026, Basics of Law

Course abstract

Students get a general idea of the concept of a consumer, consumer rights and the legal framework for consumer rights protection in Latvia and the European Union. Students are familiarised with the institutional system for consumer rights protection, the idea of a consumer complaint and consumer legal requirements. Students gain knowledge of consumer rights when concluding contracts, the compliance and safety of goods and services, the procedures of submitting and processing consumer complaints, the availability of information on goods and services and requirements for the labels of goods.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
KNOWLEDGE of
1. The concept of consumer rights and the knowledge of the institutional system of consumer rights protection in Latvia, the relevant legal frameworks in Latvia and the EU - discussions in classes;
2. Consumer rights when concluding contracts, the compliance and safety of goods and services, requirements for the labels of goods, the nature and kinds of unfair commercial practices, dispute settlement and liability in the event of infringement – a test.
SKILLS to
1. Demonstrate close familiarity with the legal framework for consumer rights protection and apply the acquired knowledge to protect their consumer rights - group work, presentations;
2. Ensure compliance with the legal framework for consumer rights protection in business - group work, independent work;
3. Discuss consumer rights protection-related matters and problems with other students - group work;
4. Present the results acquired – a presentation, a report.
COMPETENCES to
1. Independently solve typical consumer rights infringements – an examination.

2. Independently and effectively apply the acquired knowledge and skills in the field of consumer rights protection – a test.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to consumer protection, the relevant legal framework. (1 h lecture)
2. Institutional system for consumer protection. (2 h lectures)
3. Compliance of goods and services with the terms and conditions of the contract and consumer claims. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
4. Unfair contract terms and conditions, a contract analysis. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
5. Distance contracts, a contract analysis. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
6. Contracts concluded outside the place of permanent economic or professional activity, a contract analysis. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
7. Test. (1 h practical)
8. Contracts of complex and related tourism services, a contract analysis. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
9. Consumer credit contracts, a contract analysis. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
10. Prohibition of unfair commercial practices and the regulatory framework for advertising. (3 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
11. Test. (1 h practical)
12. Conformity and safety of goods and services. Corrective activities for ensuring consumer rights. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
13. Compliance of prices of goods and services with the requirements of the regulatory framework. A study on compliance with price display rules. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
14. Product labelling, a label analysis. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)

15. Presentation and defence of reports (2 h practicals)

Requirements for awarding credit points

• Two tests;
• report;

• written examination.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

A report and a presentation of the report on an independently chosen topic in the field of consumer rights protection, which are submitted and presented within the time specified.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark consists of the following pieces of assessment:
• Test 1 – 10 points;
• Test 2 – 10 points;
• Report – 40 points;
• Examination – 40 points.

A score of 10 is equal to one point on a 10-point marking scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības likums.
2. Preču un pakalpojumu drošuma likums.

3. Negodīgas komercprakses aizlieguma likums.

Further reading

1. Patērētāju ārpustiesas strīdu risinātāju likums.
2. Informācijas sabiedrības pakalpojumu likums.
3. Reklāmas likums.
4. Likums „Par atbilstības novērtēšanu”.
5. Likums „Par atbildību par preces un pakalpojumu trūkumiem”.
6. Likums „Par Sabiedrisko pakalpojumu regulatoriem”.
7. Pārtikas aprites uzraudzības likums.
8. Ģenētiski modificēto organismu aprites likums.
11. Administratīvo pārkāpumu kodekss.
12. MK 20.05.2014. noteikumi Nr. 255 “Noteikumi par distances līgumu”.
13. MK 21.10.2014. noteikumi Nr. 648 „Noteikumi par distances līgumu par finanšu pakalpojumu sniegšanu”.
14. MK 26.06.2018. noteikumi Nr.353 „ Noteikumi par kompleksa un saistīta tūrisma pakalpojuma sagatavošanas un sniegšanas kārtību un kompleksu un saistītu tūrisma pakalpojumu sniedzēju un ceļotāju tiesībām un pienākumiem”.
15. MK 25.10.2016. noteikumi Nr.691 „ Noteikumi par patērētāja kreditēšanu”.
16. MK 18.05.1999. noteikumi Nr. 178 „Kārtība, kādā norādāmas preču un pakalpojumu cenas”.
17. MK 14.02.2006. noteikumi Nr. 119 „Kārtība, kādā preču ražotājs, izplatītājs vai pakalpojuma sniedzējs informē attiecīgās valsts uzraudzības un kontroles iestādes par precēm vai pakalpojumiem, kuri rada risku, kas nav savienojams ar vispārējām drošuma prasībām”.
18. MK 22.02.2005. noteikumi Nr. 142 „Pārtikas un veterinārā dienesta nolikums”.
19. MK 03.08.1999. noteikumi Nr. 273 „Apavu izstrādājumu marķēšanas kārtība”.
20. MK 29.02.2000. noteikumi Nr. 78 „Stikla izstrādājumu marķēšanas noteikumi”.
21. MK 15.02.2011. noteikumi Nr. 132 „Rotaļlietu drošuma noteikumi”.

22. Vītoliņa B. Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības pamati: Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2015, 374 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības centra mājas lapa: http://www.ptac.gov.lv/

Notes

Restricted elective course for the ESAF academic bachelor programme Economics, specialisation Law.
Elective course for other LLU bachelor programmes.