Shortly before the start of the 2026 School Year, the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) warns mothers and fathers that schools cannot force the purchase of uniforms or supplies from specific brands. If this rule is not complied with, educational centers could receive fines exceeding S/2.4 million.
This measure is not just a recommendation, but is part of the current regulations, which prohibit schools from requiring the purchase of uniforms, materials or supplies in certain establishments or from specific brands.
If this rule is not complied with, Indecopi may impose a fine of up to 450 UIT (S/2,475,000) on the educational center, as established by the Consumer Protection and Defense Code.
The agency specifies that, between 2021 and 2025, this infraction was among the most sanctioned, with 647 measures applied to providers of regular basic education, affecting 226 schools nationwide for a total of 1,189.4 UIT.
Among other points, Indecopi specified that schools cannot require the complete delivery of school supplies on the first day of classes. Likewise, he noted that materials that are not related to the student’s learning cannot be requested, such as cleaning products, personal hygiene items for the classroom or materials for the exclusive use of the teacher.
The entity indicated that the period for the delivery of supplies cannot be less than 30 days, thus providing parents with sufficient time to comply with school requirements.
