Consumers Protected By New Laws

For the first time a catch-all duty for businesses not to trade unfairly will ensure consumers are protected against all dodgy traders. The new Consumer Protection Regulations, which replace a number of existing laws, apply to all businesses trading directly with consumers, such as shops, restaurants, builders and second-hand car dealers.

The regulations come into force on 26 May 2008 and also specifically ban 31 types of unfair sales practices including:

Aggressive doorstep selling
Bogus ‘closing down’ sales
Prize draw scams
Offering bogus free gifts
Displaying false accreditations (such as wrongly claiming to be a CORGI-registered plumber).

Businesses who break the new laws can face criminal prosecution in the worst cases, including a prison sentence.

The consumer affairs minister Gareth Thomas said: "This law is good news for consumers, honest businesses and Trading Standards and the OFT, which will enforce it. It delivers better protections for consumers, cuts red tape and puts in place a simpler and clearer consumer law that will be easier to interpret and enforce.”

For more information about your consumer rights visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

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