The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations ban
traders in all sectors from using unfair commercial practices
towards consumers. They set out broadrules outlining when
commercial practices are unfair. These fall into four main
categories:
- A general ban on conduct below a level which may be expected
towards consumers (honest market practice/good faith). This is
intended to act as a “safety net” protection for all
consumers.
- Misleading practices, like false or deceptive messages,or
leaving out important information.
- Aggressive sales techniques that use harassment, coercion or
undue influence.
For a practice to be unfair under these rules, they must harm,
or be likely to harm, the economic interests of the average
consumer. For example, when a shopper makes a purchasing decision
he or she would not have made had he or she been given accurate
information or not put under unfair pressure to do so.
- In addition, the regulations ban 31 specific practices
outright.
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