Consumer protection in the United Kingdom is effected through a multiplicity of Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, the work of various government agencies and departments, and citizens' lobby groups. It aims to ensure the market economy produces fairness and quality in the goods and services people buy. The main areas of regulating consumer affairs include:
The Department of Prices and Consumer Protection was established in 1974. This was the first time a government department's title made reference to consumer protection.
In 2011 Consumer Minister Edward Davey announced plans within a policy document called Better Choices, Better Deals: Consumers Powering Growth to ensure that businesses would provide key information to their customers on how they use and buy goods and services, aiming to help consumers secure the best deals possible, and to make business more dynamic in response. The government considered this to offer "a radical new approach" to consumer empowerment.[1]
The Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority were both set up in 2013 and enforce many consumer laws and regulations in the United Kingdom across a variety of industries.
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 introduced a definition of the term "consumer" as "an individual acting for purposes which are wholly or mainly outside that individual's trade, business, craft or profession".[2]
The Enterprise Act 2002 allows consumer bodies that have been approved by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to be designated as "super-complainants" to the Office of Fair Trading. These super-complainants are intended to "strengthen the voice of consumers", who are "unlikely to have access individually to the kind of information necessary to judge whether markets are failing for them". Eight have been designated as of 2007[update]:[3]
Fundraising - Charity fundraisers on the street or calling house-to-house are sometimes called 'chuggers' - a portmanteau of charity muggers. Some charity fundraisers have been shown to use intimidatory and aggressive tactics, violating rules set out by regulatory agencies.[4]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2011)
|
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2011)
|
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2011)
|
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2011)
|
This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, Better choices, better deals, published 13 April 2011, accessed 24 October 2023