Paraná’s new Consumer Defense Code addresses contemporary issues in consumer relations

The new Paraná Consumer Defense Code introduces more current and comprehensive obligations, while modernizing the transparent and fair relationship between companies and consumers, a principle already advocated by the national Consumer Defense Code since 1990. This is the assessment of attorney Larissa Nishimura, a specialist on the subject and a member of Batistute Advogados law firm. The document is the third created by a state, following Pernambuco, which took the initiative in 2019, and São Paulo (2023). According to the expert, the new document includes provisions that address contemporary issues and, among its 323 articles, consolidates specific rules from various state laws into a single file. 

“The code addresses issues that were not problematized over 30 years ago. Among them, the obligation to notify a debtor about their inclusion in credit protection agencies. Or, situations related to financial loans to the elderly, given the many scams targeting this demographic,” states Larissa. According to the attorney, the document, sanctioned in September 2024 and in effect since March 2025, stipulates that the name of a defaulting debtor can only be reported to credit protection agencies after 30 days of default, with the debtor being notified a minimum of five days in advance. 

Furthermore, anyone granting a loan to an elderly person, pensioner, or retiree may only do so through the physical signing of a contract, with presentation of an identity document, or via a simple electronic signature. “This provision aims to prevent the many scams perpetrated by individuals using authorizations via telephone, application, photograph, or voice recording. It is a way to protect this more vulnerable demographic, who are more susceptible to these crimes,” states the attorney. Another measure that can also benefit this group is the mandatory availability of packages containing a minimum of 30 tablets for those on continuous medication. 

“The code also establishes a way to curb the famous ”cosmetic repairs“ that used car dealers perform,” explains Larissa. This is because, from now on, dealerships and resellers must inform, in writing, before the sale of a car, if the vehicle has previously had problems with collision, flooding, has been through an auction or recall, among other incidents. Similarly, financial institutions must inform the full amount of a charge for a tariffed service, whether through an ATM, telephone, or internet. "In this way, in both cases, the consumer has the possibility to choose whether to purchase or contract the service." 

In addition to these unprecedented inclusions, the Paraná Consumer Defense Code establishes rules against over-indebtedness, an end to unwanted automated calls, promotions with visible previous prices, mandatory translations in advertising containing foreign words, the right to a physical menu and clear forms of payment in bars and restaurants, among others. “These are measures aimed at updating and incorporating elements of today's reality and daily life.”