Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations have now been introduced in the UK. The regulations aim to protect consumers and honest businesses.

Everyone who deals with consumers are affected, from retailers to builders and second-hand motor traders. The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) will be writing to all UK businesses explaining the changes.

A BASIC GUIDE FOR BUSINESS

Many detailed rules around trade descriptions and misleading prices have been replaced with a general ban on unfair trading.

This means that traders have to act 'in a manner consistent with reasonable expectations of the average consumer', so the consumer can make free and informed buying decisions.

In addition, the regulations also put a stop to aggressive selling techniques, and the misinforming and misleading people about products & services.

BENEFITS TO BUSINESSES

The BERR says that businesses no longer have to face unfair competition from traders who use underhand practices. The changes also simplify consumer protection in the UK and across the EU, making it clear which commercial practices are allowed.

WHAT BUSINESSES NEED TO DO

Businesses that deal fairly and honestly with their customers may not need to change the way they work at all. But to make sure that a business is treating its customers properly, staff should read and understand the new regulations.

If a business doesn't comply with the regulations, it may be investigated by Trading Standards and other bodies. These lengthy investigations could take up a lot of business time, and the company could be prosecuted and fined, along with losing customers.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To download guidance on the regulations please visit: www.berr.gov.uk/files/file46035.pdf

For further information from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) website please visit:  www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/small_businesses/competing/protection

For further information on competing fairly please visit the OFT website at: www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/small_businesses/competing which also includes guides on competition law, how to report suspicious behaviour and what to do if a business is under investigation.

Trading Standards also has business leaflets on trade descriptions at: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bglitem.cgi?file=BADV042-1111.txt - along with specific unfair trading factsheets for different sectors and topics at: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bgllist.cgi#ft