6
Aug
2013
New UK regulations to protect consumers are unveiled
Draft legislation announced by Consumer Minister Jo Swinson today sets out how consumers will also have access to clearer information about any additional costs and more generous time limits for returning goods bought online.
The new proposals, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Payments) Regulations implement the European Consumer Rights Directive and will:
- increase the time limit for returning goods purchased online or by phone from seven days to 14 days after the goods have been received, should the consumer change their mind
- ban pre-ticked tick boxes for extras that the consumer may not want or need and that could result in unexpected payment
- set out key information consumers should be given by traders before agreeing to purchase, like additional costs or cancellation right
“For too long the rules that apply when buying goods and services have been murky for both consumers and businesses. The situation is even worse for vulnerable consumers who are misled into buying something they neither need nor want,” said Swinson in a statement.
