Prepayment Discount for Consumer Defense Fines

Through Decree 377/2026, the Executive Branch incorporated subsection c) into article 45 of the Regulations of Consumer Defense Law 24240. The new provision allows infringing suppliers to settle the fine sanction by paying 50% of the amount imposed within ten business days of notification of the sanctioning resolution, if they do not file the direct appeal in article 45 of Law 24240 within that same period. In no case may the reduction result in an amount lower than the minimum established in article 47, subsection b) of Law 24240 (0.5 total basic baskets for household 3, according to the current INDEC publication).

The measure aims to reduce administrative and judicial litigation, decreasing transaction costs both for the Administration and for suppliers.

It should be noted that Bases Law 27742 incorporated article 25 bis into the Administrative Procedures Law, establishing a thirty-judicial-business-day period to file a direct appeal against administrative acts (for example, sanctions under the consumer defense regime). A harmonious interpretation of both provisions would support the view that, from notification, the supplier has, in parallel, ten business days to access the fine discount—a benefit that lapses if the appeal is filed within that period—and thirty business days to challenge it. The potential tension between both periods warrants monitoring.

The measure entered into force on May 22, 2026, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.