The Urgency of the Principle of Balance in the Drafting of the Consumer Protection Bill

Abstract

This study examines the urgency of the principle of balance in the drafting of the Indonesian Consumer Protection Bill (RUU-PK). The principle of balance is essential to ensure fairness and legal certainty among consumers, business actors, and the government, especially in modern digital transactions such as e-commerce. Using normative legal research with a literature-based approach, this study analyzes statutory regulations, legal literature, and comparative cases. The results show that the principle of balance must be strengthened in the RUU-PK to address structural inequalities in the digital economy. A comparison between the current Consumer Protection Law (UU No. 8/1999) and the draft bill reveals that the RUU-PK seeks to clarify rights and obligations, introduce joint liability mechanisms, and enhance government oversight. The study concludes that the principle of balance is the foundation for a just, transparent, and sustainable trade ecosystem in Indonesia.