Unfair trading regulations 'extra time' welcomed

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) confirmed that if approved in debate the Consumer Protection Regulations (CPRs) would come into force on 26 May, rather than on 6 April as originally planned.

The news was welcomed by the British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA), which had complained to the the Government that businesses were not being given enough time to make changes and meet the new obligations.

A basic guide to the regulations was published by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in February, however the rules were not laid before Parliament until today, and have still to receive final approval from MPs.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas, said today: "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. The final timetable takes into account the views of business and gives everyone suitable time to prepare."

'Catch-all-duty'

The regulations will ban 31 types of unfair sales practices outright including, bogus closing down sales, prize draw scams, "scare tactics" and aggressive doorstep selling.

They will also for the first time establish a "catch-all duty" not to trade unfairly, closing loopholes that rogue traders have previously been able to exploit.

Most provisions of the regulations will be enforceable by both criminal and civil sanctions. A wide range of sanctions will be available, depending on the seriousness of the offence, from guidance and codes of conduct to unlimited fines and lengthy prison sentences.

The CPRs also replace and "improve" on provisions in 23 pieces of existing legislation, establishing what BERR described as a "modern framework fit for the 21st Century".

A link to the BERR/OFT guide to the new Consumer Protection Regulations (pdf) is provided above/right.