Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Checklist for Businesses
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has put together a checklist for the Consumer Rights Act to help businesses ensure they have everything covered. Read through the different sections and click on the links for further information.
The Consumer Rights Act came into force on the 1 October 2015. The law has become clearer and easier to understand, saving business and consumers time and money.
Know the facts
A summary of the new consumer rights is available here.
If you have any questions call the Business Support Helplines.
Check you are compliant
Returns
Is your returns policy up to date and do your customers know what it is?
You may wish to display a summary of consumer rights in your place of business, or have it in a handy place for customer facing staff.
You can see a summary here.
Further information about return policies can be found here.
Complaints
Is your complaints procedure up to date and do your customers know what it is?
Did you know that the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider in the retail sector is The Retail Ombudsman?
All traders selling to consumers, whether or not they intend to use ADR, will need to give the consumer details of a certified ADR provider and inform the consumer about whether they intend to use that provider from 1 October 2015.
Find out about Alternative Dispute Resolution here.
Contracts
Have you checked that your contracts with customers don’t contain unfair terms?
Did you know businesses cannot opt out of consumer rights and remedies?
You can check whether your terms are compliant with the law here.
Information for Consumers
Is the information you provide consumers compliant with the Consumer Contract Regulations and the Consumer Rights Act?
Find out what information you need to provide to your customers here.
Competition
Are you complying with competition law to make sure your customers are getting the best deal?
Check the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) guidance on consumer rights and cartels here.
For more information about Trading Standards law and consumer protection legislation, please click here.