Business information

General duty to trade fairly

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations

A general duty to trade fairly with consumers came into effect on 26 May 2008

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations ban traders in all sectors from using unfair commercial practices towards consumers. BERR, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory reform have issued guidance for businesses.

The vast majority of businesses are fair dealing and will not need to change their businesses practices but the regulations aim to tackle those businesses who don’t always treat their customers well.

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.

All traders who deal with consumers will be affected including retailers, builders and second-hand motor traders. The new regulations ban traders in all sectors from using unfair commercial practices towards consumers. They set out broad rules outlining when commercial practices are unfair.

For further information please select the link on this page entitled "Dept for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform:Consumer protection from unfair trading regulations" (on the right hand side of the page)