E-Commerce (Distance Selling) Consumer Protection Guidance Notes
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 provide enhanced levels of consumer protection in a range of transaction types, most significantly distance sales and off-premises contracts (a common example of the latter being doorstep sales).
The Regulations impose strict requirements on traders including those relating to pre-contract information, cancellation or “cooling-off” rights, refunds, the imposition of additional charges and the confirmation of contracts. They are particularly important for e-commerce traders.
How do these E-Commerce Guidance Notes assist website owners and operators?
This template provides a clear direction on legal obligations and best practices in respect of consumer protection when selling online. The Notes break down the regulations into practical steps such as clarifying what pre-contract information is required (e.g. product details, pricing, cancellation rights) and how it should be presented to the consumer: Explain the legal consequences of non-compliance allowing traders to take preventative measures and avoid costly errors and legal challenges: Gives detailed practical e-commerce implementation suggestions: Explain how to handle returns, cancellations and refunds: Identifies product exemptions or partial exemptions: Provides guidance on managing bundled services (such as warranties and subscriptions).
The Notes also include adaptations for mobile apps and micro-transactions, helping to clarify how to comply when space or interaction time is limited - ideal for app-based e-commerce.
Not only should traders take great care to ensure correct and full compliance with the Regulations but they should also ensure that the way in which they comply does not compromise the end-user / customer experience. Some of the requirements laid down by the Regulations have the potential not only to be onerous on traders but also to add irritating complexity to transactions from a customer’s perspective.
These E-Commerce (Distance Selling) Consumer Protection Guidance Notes provide a guide to the key requirements set out in the Regulations, setting out what is required in clear, plain language and also provide some practical suggestions designed to assist businesses in complying with the Regulations in the most pain-free way.
E-Commerce (Distance Selling) Consumer Protection Guidance Notes is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.