New regulations to protect consumers
New regulations have come in to force which will affect almost all contracts entered by consumers purchasing goods and services.
The regulations apply to contracts made on or after 13th June 2014. These regulations mean businesses may well need to make some significant changes to their paperwork and the way they deal with customers.
The Regulations make some key changes to the consumer protection framework:
- Extending the list of pre-contract information to be provided to consumers, to include details of the trader, the goods, the price, any other applicable charges, the terms of the contract, and the cancellation right.
- Extending a customer’s cooling off period to 14 calendar days (for applicable contracts made at a distance or off premise) from the previous 7 day period;
- Introducing new rules for businesses selling digital content, such as music or software downloads;
- Requiring businesses to obtain explicit consent before taking any additional charge for supplementary goods and services (e.g. such as gift wrap, insurance, express delivery etc);
- Banning the use of often expensive premium rate telephone numbers for after sales enquiries, such as to report a fault with goods.
Cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards in Devon, Cllr Roger Croad said; "For consumers, the regulations aim to ensure buyers are better protected and better informed. They provide better protection when you are not told in advance about the key features of a contract, including whether you have a right to cancel, and give you longer to consider whether you wish to cancel a contract if the right is available."
Advice on the Regulations will be available on our the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards website.
For businesses wanting to know more about their responsibilities under the legislation, guidance is available on the Trading Standards Institute website.
Businesses in Devon and Somerset can also contact Trading Standards for advice on their obligations by visiting www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk
The guidance has been split into three parts, covering contracts made on business premises, off business premises and at a distance (eg. online). Take a look now to ensure you are on the right side of the law.
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 will replace the current Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 and the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2008 however these Regulations will still apply to contracts made before 13th June 2014.
