SERNAC trains SMEs in Copiapó on their dual role as consumers and suppliers.

In a day aimed at strengthening knowledge of consumer rights, the National Consumer Service (SERNAC) held a workshop in the city of Copiapó directed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), addressing the so-called "dual role" they play in the market. The event was led by the regional director of SERNAC in Atacama, Kurt Iturrieta, who explained that the main objective was to provide informative tools about the Consumer Law applicable to these types of businesses. "The workshop is called 'the dual role of SMEs,' and it aims to inform how the Consumer Law also protects these small and medium suppliers when they act as consumers in relation to other suppliers," the authority stated.

During the training, attendees learned in detail about their basic rights as consumers, as well as the mechanisms available to assert them. Among these, the procedures for filing complaints with local police courts were discussed, a key instance in resolving consumer-related conflicts. SERNAC emphasized that such activities respond to its institutional mandate to educate and inform both traditional consumers and market actors who, in certain circumstances, may also be vulnerable.

"We are fulfilling our mission to educate, especially those who may be affected by violations of the law, such as SMEs in their role as consumers," Iturrieta added. The workshop included participation from vendors at Cosmocentro Plaza Real, who valued the event as an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and resolve doubts. The president of the shopping center, Leonardo Rubio Mendoza, highlighted the importance of the meeting.

"It was a very important workshop, where our vendors could learn firsthand how the regulations work and what their rights are with respect to their own suppliers," he indicated. Rubio also emphasized the participatory nature of the day, where attendees could ask questions and delve into specific situations related to their commercial activities. Additionally, he explained that this training is part of a broader educational program promoted by the shopping center.

"We are developing a series of workshops with different public services, aiming to contribute to the knowledge and compliance with regulations in the commerce sector," he stated. The initiative seeks not only to inform but also to strengthen the capabilities of SMEs to navigate the market more securely, understanding both their duties as suppliers and their rights as consumers. Through such activities, SERNAC and local actors reinforce the importance of consumer education as a key tool for developing a fairer, more informed commerce that consistently complies with current legislation.