The new Consumer Defense Code of Paraná brings more current and extensive obligations, as well as modernizing the transparent and fair relationship between companies and consumers, already advocated by the national CDC since 1990. This is the assessment of lawyer Larissa Nishimura, a specialist on the subject, a member of the Batistute Lawyers’ Office. The document is the third created by a state, after Pernambuco, which took the initiative in 2019, and São Paulo (2023). According to the specialist, the new document includes provisions that correspond to contemporary issues and, among the 323 articles, gathers specific rules from various state laws into a single file.
“The code addresses issues that over 30 years ago were not problematized. Among them, the obligation to notify a debtor about the inclusion in credit protection agencies. Or situations related to financial loans for the elderly, since there are many scams targeting this audience,” says Larissa. According to the lawyer, the document, sanctioned in September 2024 and in effect since March 2025, provides that the name of a defaulter can only be reported to credit protection agencies after 30 days of default, notifying the debtor at least five days in advance.
In addition, anyone who lends money to an elderly person, pensioner, or retiree can only do so with a physical signature, presenting an identity document, or a simple electronic signature. “This provision is to prevent the many scams by people who use authorizations by phone, app, photo, or voice recording. It is a way to protect this vulnerable and susceptible audience from these crimes,” says the lawyer. Another measure that can also benefit this audience is the requirement to provide packaging with a minimum of 30 tablets for those who use continuous medication.
“The code also establishes a way to curb the famous touch-ups that used vehicle sellers do,” Larissa explains. From now on, dealerships and resellers must inform, in writing, before selling a car, if the vehicle has had problems with collisions, floods, been through auctions and recalls, among other circumstances. Just as financial institutions must inform the full value of a tariffed service charge, whether through ATMs, telephone or internet. “This way, in both cases, the consumer has the option to choose to buy or hire the service.”
In addition to these unprecedented inclusions, the Consumer Protection Code of Paraná establishes rules against over-indebtedness, end of unwanted automatic calls, promotions with visible previous prices, mandatory translations in advertising with foreign words, the right to a physical menu and clear payment methods in bars and restaurants, among others. “These are measures aimed at updating and including elements of reality and daily life today.”
