Consumer Protection Code: a basic guide for business

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform introduce new regulations to clamp down on unfair sales and marketing practices

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform are introducing new regulations to clamp down on unfair sales and marketing practices. They are designed to protect consumers and honest businesses. Everyone who deals with consumers will be affected including retailers, builders and second-hand motor traders.

Many detailed rules around trade descriptions and misleading price indications are being replaced with a general ban on unfair trading. This broadly means traders will have to act in a way that enables the average consumer to make free and informed purchasing decisions. In addition, they will put a stop to aggressive selling techniques and misinforming and misleading people about products or services.

You’ll find this essential information on the new codes, regulations and practices and some examples available for you to download in PDF format below.

You can also contact your local authority’s trading standards service for further advice on the regulations. Alternatively you can find further practical advice by clicking on any of the links below.