In a move to enhance transparency and ensure consumer rights protection, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce has confirmed the possibility of verifying commercial discount licenses issued to establishments by scanning a unified electronic code (QR code), issued in cooperation with the Saudi Business Center.
Smart Consumer Protection Service
The Ministry explained that this smart service allows consumers to know all the details of the approved discounts, including:
The authorized discount rate.
Number of products and goods included.
Discount period.
Official license data.
This comes as part of the Ministry's efforts to combat fraudulent offers and ensure that businesses comply with regulations, giving consumers complete confidence in the offers they purchase.
Transparency and reliable government connectivity
When the e-code is scanned, information authenticated by government agencies appears, including the establishment's commercial registration data, commercial licenses, and relevant discount permits. This helps reduce price manipulation and enhances consumer awareness and ability to make sound purchasing decisions.
The Ministry urged all consumers not to engage in sales that do not include an official QR code, and urged commercial establishments to obtain an electronic license when implementing any sales campaign.
Digital transformation in the service of transparency
This update comes within the context of the comprehensive digital transformation being witnessed by Saudi government agencies, as part of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the efficiency of the local market and achieve fair business practices between merchants and consumers.
Statistics indicate an increase in the number of QR codes used to verify discounts since the system's launch, reflecting a growing awareness among Saudi consumers of the importance of engaging only with authorized offers.
