Draft law amending the Consumer Protection Act § 4 (624 SE) - First Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Date: 2025-05-19 20:20
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 16m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Under agenda item five, the draft law 624 for the first reading of the amendment to Section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act, initiated by the Republic of Estonia’s Government, was discussed. The draft law aims to modernize the norms concerning the submission and retention of purchase receipts and invoices, taking into account the rapid development of technology and the widespread use of digital solutions. The currently valid requirements for paper-based submissions have created both administrative burdens and environmental impacts, therefore the proposal is to amend the rules in a way that promotes digital channels and does not immediately force retailers to redevelop their software. At the same time, consumer rights are preserved: a paper receipt is still available to those who request it or who pay in cash and wish to continue receiving it, and the tracking of purchase data in digital form is convenient and secure for the consumer. The draft law was prepared in collaboration with the Retailers' Association and the Green Tiger Foundation; the aim is to reduce paper consumption and administrative costs while ensuring consumer protection and accessibility. The implementation of the designed changes is planned for January 1st of next year. Rimi’s example demonstrates the potential for the spread of digital receipts: in 2023, 31.7 tons of paper were saved in the Baltics. It remains important for society to ensure the consumer’s right to receive an invoice and to use purchase history, especially for older people, and to maintain the possibility of receiving posted paper receipts for those who cannot use digital channels.
Decisions Made 2
The decision to put the draft agenda for the plenary session on 19th May was a consensus action within the economics committee.
The decision to end the first reading of the draft bill by consensus was made at the economics committee meeting.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Marek Reinaas, the chairman of the economic affairs committee. Under his leadership, the discussion proceeded and the desired decisions were presented for formalization by the economic affairs committee; his role is within the duties of a leading committee chairman, which mainly serves as a place to coordinate and direct negotiations.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu now moves to the fifth item on the agenda, which concerns the first reading of Draft Act 624, initiated by the Government, regarding the amendment of Section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act. The rapporteur is the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo stated that the amendments to the Consumer Protection Act will allow for digital purchase receipts and invoices. These changes will reduce the use of paper invoices and administrative costs, introduce the option to send invoices via SMS, and guarantee that consumers can still receive a paper receipt if needed. However, traders are not required to immediately overhaul their systems, as the amendments establish a voluntary framework for digital solutions, which will take effect on January 1st.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were questions this time and invited Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski to take the floor.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski asked whether, during the analysis of the draft bill, any hidden risks were identified for entrepreneurs in accounting and reporting, and whether such an innovation will result in additional costs for the state.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo stated that the draft legislation was developed in close cooperation with the Merchants' Association, contains no hidden risks, and the input came directly from the sector itself. This will streamline operations, reduce bureaucracy, enhance environmental stewardship, and make life more convenient for consumers. Furthermore, it will not incur any additional costs for the state—rather, it will generate savings for the private sector and provide the option to stop issuing paper invoices.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that Section 37 of the Value-Added Tax Act and the Consumer Protection Act stipulate that a paper invoice does not have to be automatically issued to the consumer, but rather the invoice is issued only upon the customer's request, and he asks what else is being added with the amendment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Lauri Laats to speak.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
With the amendment of Section 4 of the planned Consumer Protection Act, a paper invoice will not be issued by default, but only upon request made at the time of purchase, and the purchase history linked to customer loyalty cards would allow for verification.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the beginning of the address, Mihkel Lees is invited to speak.
Mihkel Lees
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mihkel Lees thanks the Director and the Minister, and then asks proactively what kind of proposals aimed at reducing bureaucracy and protecting the environment might be expected from your jurisdiction in the near future.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Our core principle is to reduce the unnecessary reporting burden for both individuals and businesses. The initial packages concentrated on occupational safety. Future proposals will focus on cutting down needless bureaucracy at the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, ensuring, however, that consumer protection does not suffer. Furthermore, by utilizing digital solutions, we can make these systems even more effective.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Thank you. The questioning is concluded, and next, the discussion will be summarized by Marek Reinaas, the Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee.
Marek Reinaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Economic Committee discussed the draft bill over the course of two sessions, reviewed the impact of digital waste and the possibility of implementing changes sooner, and unanimously decided to place the draft bill on the plenary session agenda for May 19th and conclude the first reading.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the participants for the thorough discussion, informed the assembly about the opening and closing of the debates, and announced that the first reading of Draft Act 624 is concluded based on the proposal of the lead committee. The first reading is concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 17:15 on June 2nd of the current year, upon which the fifth item on the agenda will have been completed.