Advocating for Consumers: Kazakhstan's Massive Protection Initiatives (2025)
Close to 800 million Tenge reimbursed to customers within a span of 5 months
In the first half of 2025, the Consumer Protection Committee, in conjunction with regional departments, launched an extensive operation to reinforce citizen rights, as reported by our outlet, citing the agency's press service. Over the course of five months, citizens reclaimed a staggering 881.3 million tenge due to various infractions.
Most complaints revolved around:
- Defective items (cars, cosmetics, mobile phones);
- Subpar or unfulfilled services (sanatorium-resort services, catering, fitness, tourism);
- Missteps in the real estate sector (delayed handovers, missing documentation).
Here are some hallmark victories:
- In Almaty, the illegal resale of property valued at 215 million tenge was thwarted, and the buyer was rectified.
- In the Karaganda region, an apartment worth 33.5 million tenge, unlawfully withheld, was delivered.
- A catering establishment in Semey was penalized for breaking agreements and neglecting a consumer corner.
- Tour operators in the Atyrau region were forced to refund 6.6 million tenge following legal processes.
- In the Pavlodar and Jetisu regions, the rights of dozens of consumers were restored, with 10.8 million tenge returned for pushed cosmetic credit and 7.2 million tenge for missing smartphones.
- In the Turkestan region, 1.2 million tenge was reimbursed for a cancelled Dubai trip; in Shymkent, compensation was provided for unsanitary fitness facilities.
Even a complaint about a 700-tenge toy led to justice for a citizen.
"Each consumer complaint is more than a number; it's a story. Kazakhstani citizens are increasingly standing up for their rights, and we welcome this active stance," the Committee declared.
The Consumer Protection Committee continues its crusade to safeguard citizens' rights, uphold the law, and elevate legal awareness.
Noteworthy Regulatory Developments
Enforcing Fair Lending Practices
- Details: In June 2025, Kazakhstan’s financial authorities imposed limits on annual effective interest rates (AEIR) for loans and microloans. This action was executed through joint resolutions by the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market and the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
- Purpose: The new policy aims to advocate for consumers by preventing exorbitant interest rates and promoting transparency in lending.
- Effective Date: The policy took effect on June 16, 2025[1].
- Impact: Curbing interest rates helps protect borrowers from predatory lending, particularly vulnerable consumers and small businesses. The move enhances trust in the financial sector and reduces over-indebtedness among consumers.
Bolstering Product Safety
- Details: In mid-June 2025, the government raised the requirements for Eurasian Conformity (EAC) certification for various imported products.
- Purpose: This measure aims to eliminate hazardous and subpar products from the market, thereby shielding consumers from potential harm.
- Impact: The tougher certification process will elevate product safety standards, benefiting sectors such as electronics, toys, and construction materials. It could also create challenges for substandard imports, offering advantages to local manufacturers and enhancing consumer trust[3].
Secondary Effects and International Collaborations
Financial Sector
- Transparency: The interest rate caps are expected to make lending practices more transparent, mitigating cases of undisclosed fees and abusive practices. This heightens overall trust in banks and non-bank lenders.
- Market Stability: By limiting extremely high interest rates, the policy may also contribute to market stability, minimizing the risks of financial bubbles and defaults.
Retail and Consumer Goods
- Safety: The new EAC certification conditions ensure that only safe and compliant goods reach consumers. This primarily impacts the electronics, toys, and construction sectors.
- Local Industry: Local manufacturers may gain an edge as the new rules lessen competition from hazardous foreign goods.
International Collaboration and Policy Development
- Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection: Kazakhstan’s participation in international forums such as the OCTOPUS 2025 conference (focusing on countering cybercrime) demonstrates a commitment to protecting consumers in the digital realm. This fortifies national capability to combat online fraud and cybercrimes affecting consumers[4].
- Global Best Practices: Involvement in events like the World Bank’s Consumer Protection Contest showcases Kazakhstan’s alignment with international standards and its aspiration to implement best practices in consumer protection and market fairness[5].
Summary Table: Consumer Protection Measures and Sectoral Impact
| Measure/Initiative | Sector Affected | Key Impact ||------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------|| Interest Rate Caps (AEIR) | Financial Services | Reduced predatory lending, increased trust || Stricter EAC Certification Requirements | Retail, Manufacturing | Safer goods, support for domestic producers || Participation in OCTOPUS 2025 (Cybercrime) | Digital/Online Sector | Enhanced cybersecurity, fraud prevention |
Final Thoughts
Kazakhstan’s 2025 consumer protection initiatives are expansive, targeting financial fairness, product safety, and digital security. These actions not only shield consumers but also foster market confidence and support domestic industries, signifying a holistic approach to consumer rights and market regulation[1][3][4].
- The Consumer Protection Committee's efforts to enforce fair lending practices, as indicated by the new policy imposed on annual effective interest rates, aims to protect consumers from predatory lending, particularly vulnerable ones and small businesses.
- The government's decision to raise the requirements for Eurasian Conformity (EAC) certification for various imported products also aims to elevate product safety standards, beneficial for sectors such as electronics, toys, and construction materials.
- In the realm of personal finance and investing, the Committee's victories in rectifying real estate issues, such as the unlawful withholding of apartments and the prevention of illegal property resales, demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding citizens' investments in this sector.
