E-commerce Law

SOTE Blog About Online Stores

Information related to e-commerce law. Store regulations, changes in the law regarding online stores, changes in VAT and advice on setting up an online business.

Warranty and guarantee - basic consumer tools.

Warranty and guarantee - basic consumer tools.

24/09/2022
In Polish law, in accordance with European standards, the consumer is a special figure and is surrounded by legal protection. A consumer is considered to be an individual who makes a transaction with a business not directly related to their economic or professional activity. In other words, purchases are made only and exclusively for individuals, not for their professional activities. In opposition to the consumer stands the entrepreneur, who sells something as a professional.
Cookies Files - an important change for online stores and websites. New requirements from Google and GDPR.

Cookies Files - an important change for online stores and websites. New requirements from Google and GDPR.

30/06/2022
Google is introducing important changes regarding the saving of cookies files and every store should adjust to the new requirements. The change consists of adding additional cookie settings options. To activate the new cookie options, simply update the store to the latest version.
Omnibus Directive - a revolution in consumer law. Changes in online stores.

Omnibus Directive - a revolution in consumer law. Changes in online stores.

11/04/2022
The Omnibus Directive, more precisely the European Parliament and Council Directive (EU) 2019/2161 of 27 November 2019 amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and European Parliament and Council Directives 98/6/EC, 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU as regards better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules, introduces significant changes in the area of consumer protection law.
Polish Order - Changes from 2022

Polish Order - Changes from 2022

12/01/2022
With the new year, a tax revolution called officially "Polish Order" also comes into force. There are many changes, some less, some more beneficial. Let's answer the question, however, what does the Polish Order actually mean for entrepreneurs?
Online Store Regulations. EU VAT Update.

Online Store Regulations. EU VAT Update.

31/08/2021
A safe shop is not only a program, but also a good and up-to-date shop regulation. Therefore, we have prepared an update of the shop regulation package for our customers, adapting it to the new EU VAT rates for consumers. The regulation is prepared in cooperation with the law office of Arkadiusz Jaskuła from Poznań. Translations of the regulation are carried out as a sworn translation.
VAT changes from July 1, 2021. Store update.

VAT changes from July 1, 2021. Store update.

23/08/2021
We have released an update regarding the calculation of VAT for transactions within the European Union. This is related to the legal changes that came into effect on July 1, 2021. The update enables the calculation of VAT in international transactions in accordance with the new regulations. The main change is that customers from the EU make purchases with the VAT rate applicable in their country. Previously, the VAT rate was calculated according to the seller's country.
Changes in VAT from July 1, 2021 for online stores

Changes in VAT from July 1, 2021 for online stores

30/06/2021
In connection with the changes in VAT in ecommerce sales coming into effect on July 1, 2021, we present below a brief description prepared by the Arkadiusz Jaskuła law firm we collaborate with.
VAT Brexit - Brexit with Value Added Tax (VAT) implications.

VAT Brexit - Brexit with Value Added Tax (VAT) implications.

23/03/2021
We have made changes to the store software resulting from Brexit. This is an important change for all stores where orders with delivery to the UK are possible. As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, it is no longer possible to sell goods with 23% VAT or EU VAT to it.
Online Store Regulations. 5 Most Common Mistakes.

Online Store Regulations. 5 Most Common Mistakes.

17/02/2021
Undoubtedly, the online store regulations constitute an important legal document of the online store, since it fulfills the function of a contractual pattern in sales relations with the customer. It contains the rights and obligations of the buyer and the entrepreneur conducting sales within the online store.
Shop Regulations - English Version

Shop Regulations - English Version

28/01/2021
New service. English version of the regulations. When selling outside of Poland, remember to add the current store regulations and privacy policy in English. When adding the regulations and privacy policy in English, we should have a sworn translation. Additionally, remember to update the documents in case of changes in the law, not only in the Polish version, but also in the translations.
Non-professional purchase for companies

Non-professional purchase for companies

29/12/2020
We have added a new option to the order which allows to specify the order for companies as a non-professional purchase. This change adapts the store to the legal changes coming into effect on January 1, 2021. The amendment to the Consumer Rights Act and the Civil Code, coming into effect on January 1, 2021, mainly changes the fact that individuals conducting business in certain cases will gain new privileges and additional consumer protection.
Online Store Regulations

Online Store Regulations

17/12/2020
A secure store is not only a good program and secure data storage, but also a good terms and conditions and privacy policy of the store. Additionally, we have prepared ready-made packages with terms and conditions and privacy policy tailored to our software and compliant with current law. Well-written terms and conditions and privacy policy allow for safe business operations, but also clearly present the purchase rules to the store's customers.
Remote Contracting

Remote Contracting

31/07/2020
In today's times, you can practically do everything through the internet. Especially in the current situation related to the ongoing threat of infection due to the pandemic, remote contract making remains a convenience that is worth taking advantage of.
"Suspension of business activity. How to do it?"

"Suspension of business activity. How to do it?"

31/07/2020
Running your own business does not always bring the expected results. The effects of the pandemic are a problem for all entrepreneurs in this regard. The Polish legislator provides for the possibility of suspending the activity in such a situation, instead of completely liquidating it.
Anti-crisis Shield - 6 Solutions for Entrepreneurs.

Anti-crisis Shield - 6 Solutions for Entrepreneurs.

22/04/2020
If you run an online store, business support is also available for your store. Check if you can take advantage of the solutions for entrepreneurs offered as part of the anti-crisis shield.
Entrepreneurs gain consumer privileges. Non-professional purchase for companies.

Entrepreneurs gain consumer privileges. Non-professional purchase for companies.

14/04/2020
Under the current legal state, the consumer, as the weaker party of a given legal relationship, can benefit from special protection. However, similar protection does not apply to sole proprietorships that are in disputes with larger entities.
One-person business. How to set up a company in 9 steps?

One-person business. How to set up a company in 9 steps?

14/04/2020
A sole proprietorship is primarily about conducting business on one's own account, responsibility and risk. However, it is the simplest form of running a business. The multitude of existing conveniences in terms of the process of setting up a business does not exclude the obligation to take action that will enable it. However, most of them can be done online.
You don

You don't have to register your business right away - check if you meet the requirements.

18/03/2020
Since April 30, 2018, the Business Constitution has been in force, which is a set of laws enabling the running of a business, including without registration in CEIDG and making ZUS contributions. The introduction of regulations in this scope is intended to facilitate the verification of a business idea and the performance of activities on one's own account without the need to implement the standard, formal procedure, including the obligation to register, submit to ZUS or additional financial burdens.
Fight against payment blockages

Fight against payment blockages

18/03/2020
One of the obstacles to smooth business operations is the untimely settlement of payments for services and goods. This problem mainly affects medium, small and micro companies, whose contractors do not pay on time. Find out how to fight payment bottlenecks.
The Right to Make Mistakes for a Beginner Entrepreneur

The Right to Make Mistakes for a Beginner Entrepreneur

18/01/2020
The Friendly Law Package (a law aimed at reducing regulatory burdens), which in part has been in effect since January 1, 2020, includes several dozen business facilitation measures. The main objective of the Package is to establish the so-called right to error, right to complaint and facilitation for crafts.