Wednesday 28th May 2008
Individuals across the UK can expect fairer treatment under the law following the introduction of new Consumer Protection Regulations.
From May 26th, 31 practices have been outlawed in an attempt to minimise the use of unfair sales techniques.
They include high-pressure tactics and targeting vulnerable individuals when attempting to sell a product or service.
Under the new regulations, businesses are also not permitted to mislead potential clients or customers by omitting information from their sales pitches.
Action may be taken against anyone who is deemed to have broken the rules while acting as a manager, company director or secretary, or who has done so while claiming to hold such a position.
Consumer affairs minister Gareth Thomas says the new legislation "will deliver better protection for consumers, cut red tape and put in place a simpler and clearer consumer law that will be easier to interpret and enforce".
Among the 31 practices specifically listed as being unfair in all cases are a number of instances of misleading customers by pretending to hold quality marks, endorsements or membership of a code of conduct.
Making false assertions such as identifying a product as being available for a limited time when it is not and demonstrating a cheap but inferior product in an attempt to sell a superior alternative at a higher price are also outlawed.
Carl Belgrove, senior policy advocate at the National Consumer Council, comments: "These new laws represent a big boost to consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable people who are targeted by rogue traders."
But he adds that there remains no specific right to compensation for anyone affected by businesses which break the rules.
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