E-commerce giant, Amazon, has been reminded of its obligation to treat small businesses fairly in accordance with Australian law.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has written to Amazon to ensure the company complies with Australia’s unfair contract terms leglislation.

Ombudsman Kate Carnell said the pending arrival of Amazon Marketplace in Australia represented an opportunity for many small businesses to compete online and extend their reach.

“Some businesses are concerned about the threat of competition while others are excited to embrace the opportunity that Amazon offers,” Carnell said. “For consumers the Amazon Marketplace promises to expand choice and put downward pressure on prices.”

Carnell added she is interested to see how Australian small businesses can accelerate sales and broaden their customer base through the Amazon platform.

Carnell said analysis of the Amazon Marketplace contract terms in the United States suggested they would have to be changed in Australia to comply with federal legislation. “From November 12, 2016, changes to the Australian Consumer Law protect small business from unfair terms in standard-form contracts,” Carnell said.

“A standard-form contract is one that has been prepared by one party and where the other party has little or no opportunity to negotiate the terms. An unfair term is one that causes a significant imbalance in the parties’ rights and obligations and causes detriment to a small business if it were applied or relied upon.”

Carnell said in Amazon’s United States terms and conditions, the company reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, terminate rights to use Amazon services, remove or edit content, or cancel orders at its sole discretion.

“This may be considered unfair as action can be taken by one party, Amazon, but not the other party, the vendor, to terminate the contract,” she said. “I’ve requested that Amazon review the terms and conditions in use for standard form contracts in its Australian operations to ensure they comply with the unfair contracts terms legislation.”

An Amazon spokesperson said that the company will adhere to all local laws Down Under.

“We look forward to launching Amazon Marketplace in Australia and providing thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs with tools and services that help them to reach millions of customers and to expand their businesses both here and abroad. We will, of course, adhere to all local laws in relation to our agreements with Marketplace sellers,” an Amazon statement said.

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