Your E-Rights: Distance Selling Regulations

Otherwise known as The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

One aspect of these regulations (and the one we will be focusing on) covers the selling of products and services over the Internet. These regulations state that:

1) The consumer must be given clear information about the goods or services offered.
2) After making a purchase the consumer must be sent confirmation of that purchase.
3) The Consumer has a cooling-off period of 7 working days.
4) There are new powers for The Office of Fair Trading and local Trading Standards offices associated with these regulations.

The regulations are intended to cover a wide range of goods and services where there is no face-to-face contact between consumer and supplier. These regulations have their basis in European law and as such cover all member states of the European Community. Hence if you purchase any products online throughout Europe you are protected accordingly.

The purpose behind this directive is to increase consumer confidence and encourage use of E-commerce as a valid purchasing medium throughout Europe. The aim of the cooling off period is simply to give consumers the opportunity to inspect goods as if they were in a store.

There is a right to cancel and it forms a fundamental part of the directive. However it should be noted that if cancellation is effected then the consumer has a responsibility to care for the goods and return them in a safe and satisfactory manner.

Within the directive, there is also a requirement for the supplier to provide clear information covering certain points prior to the consumer making a purchase. These include:

1) The supplier's name.
2) The supplier's postal address, if payment is required in advance.
3) A clear description of the goods or services.
4) The price including all relevant taxes.
5) Delivery/ Shipping costs where applicable.
6) Methods of payment.
7) Arrangements and dates for delivery.
8) The right to cancel the order.
9) How long the offer or price remains valid.

The Office of Fair Trading is a government-funded organisation responsible for the many regulations in place to promote and protect consumers' interests. 
In the event of a dispute concerning an online purchase you should contact them or your local trading standards office for help.


Contact Details:

Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX 
Tel: 020 7211 8000
Fax: 020 7211 8800

Website: www.oft.gov.uk 
Email: enquiries@oft.gov.uk

Trading Standards:

Website: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

On the Trading Standards Home page you can search for the nearest local trading standards office.