Dealers who fail to comply risk hefty penalties of up to 0. 2% of their annual turnover Buying a new phone, laptop or tablet in Kenya is about to become safer after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) introduced new rules. The new rules require dealers to offer a minimum one-year warranty and a return policy for electronic communication devices.
The regulations, contained in the new Communications Equipment Vendor (CEV) Class Licence Guidelines, require all businesses selling low-powered electronic communication devices to provide buyers with at least 12 months of warranty cover, including repairs and other after-sales support throughout the warranty period." Ensure that all electronic communications equipment it sells in the Kenyan market shall have, at a minimum, a warranty period of one (1) year with a return policy,"The new licence conditions state. The regulator further requires vendors to"Provide after-sales services to customers for the duration of the warranty period".
Dealers who fail to comply with the new requirements risk hefty penalties of up to 0. 2 per cent of their annual turnover, with a minimum fine of Sh500,000. The rules apply to a wide range of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, set-top boxes, remote devices and tracking equipment.
In a move aimed at tackling the growing market for refurbished and grey-market electronics, the CA has ordered that all refurbished devices be clearly labelled before they are sold." Ensure that the packaging of each refurbished electronic communication equipment is clearly and permanently labelled as 'Refurbished' in a manner that is visible to end users,"The guidelines state. The regulations also require every vendor to issue an official receipt for purchases made online or in physical stores.
The receipt must include the seller's name, the device model, serial number and warranty period, making it easier for consumers to claim warranty services. Online retailers have also been brought under the new rules and must provide a physical address, email address and telephone number to enable customers to seek support or lodge complaints. The new framework further seeks to curb counterfeit and substandard electronics by requiring vendors to source devices only from licensed importers and sell products that have been type-approved, type-accepted or exempted by the Communications Authority.
Additionally, retailers will be required to provide customers with information on the environmentally safe disposal of electronic communication equipment. The Communications Authority says the stricter licensing conditions are designed to strengthen consumer protection, improve accountability among electronics dealers and align Kenya's electronics market with international best practices.