New Legislation Ensures Fair Trading

Companies must now ensure they provide clear and accurate information when selling to the public – or face possible court action. The Consumer Protection Regulations came into effect last month and will be used to clamp down on those who use underhand sales & marketing practices to gain an unfair competitive advantage.

The OFT have issued an example of the information a customer needs to make an informed decision. “A trader sells audio-visual equipment. He omits to inform the consumer that a particular product includes only an analogue tuner, and of the implications in the context of the switch from analogue to digital only television. This is likely to be material information that the consumer needs to make an informed decision.”

The department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), said the new legislation represented “one of the biggest changes to consumer law in decades and will benefit honest businesses by simplifying consumer protection legislation. It will help create a level playing field for the vast majority of businesses that do treat their customers honestly & fairly.”

A booklet that explains the new legislation is available to download at:

www.berr.gov.uk/files/file46035.pdf

We have listed a few areas that we have come across whilst working in this industry that may be of concern to consumers. Click here for more info.