In Uzbekistan, a procedure is being established to immediately replace a defective product if the seller has the exact same product in stock

In Uzbekistan, a procedure is being introduced for the immediate replacement of a defective product if the seller has the exact same product in stock.

In Uzbekistan, if a consumer detects a defect in the manufacture, structure, or composition of a product, the seller (manufacturer) is being obligated to replace it immediately, provided they have a product of the exact same brand in stock. The Senate approved a law providing for amendments and additions to Article 14 of the Law "On the Protection of Consumer Rights," which establishes the relevant norm.

According to current legislation, if a consumer detects manufacturing, structural, compositional, or other defects in a product, the seller (manufacturer) must replace it with a product of the exact same brand, model, or article within 7 days. If an additional check of the product's quality is required, this period is extended up to 20 days.

Under the new procedure, if the seller has a product of the exact same quality in stock, the defective product will be replaced immediately.

Cases where the seller or manufacturer needs to additionally check the quality of the defective product will also be specifically defined. The consumer or their representative will have the right to participate in the product quality check process and to demand prior notification of the time and place of the check.

Additionally, the consumer will have the opportunity to independently conduct an additional check of the product's quality at their own expense. The cases in which the costs of such a check can be covered by the seller (manufacturer) or the consumer will also be established by law.

The additional check will be conducted based on requirements established by the Cabinet of Ministers.

It was noted that the need for these changes is also reflected in consumer appeals. In 2025, the Competition Committee received more than 53,000 appeals from consumers. Of these, 12,136 related to the trade sector, and nearly 6,000 appeals were associated with defective products.

In some cases, sellers refused to replace defective products or unreasonably prolonged the replacement period to 7 days, despite having the exact same product available on the shelf.

With the adoption of the law, it is expected that consumer rights will be strengthened, and sellers will be prevented from unreasonably prolonging the replacement period under the pretext of additionally checking the product's quality. Additionally, the responsibility of entrepreneurs for product quality will be strengthened.