CONSUMER PROTECTION
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
Made8th May 2008
Coming into force26th May 2008
The Secretary of State, being a Minister designated M1 for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 M2 in relation to measures relating to consumer protection and to the control of advertising, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 2(2) of that Act;
In accordance with paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to that Act M3, a draft of this instrument was laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
F5PART 1 GENERAL¶
F51 Citation and commencement¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F52 Interpretation¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5PART 2 PROHIBITIONS¶
F53 Prohibition of unfair commercial practices¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F54 Prohibition of the promotion of unfair commercial practices¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F55 Misleading actions¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F56 Misleading omissions¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F57 Aggressive commercial practices¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5PART 3 OFFENCES¶
Offences relating to unfair commercial practices¶
F513 Penalty for offences¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F514 Time limit for prosecution¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F515 Offences committed by bodies of persons¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F516 Offence due to the default of another person¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F517 Due diligence defence¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F518 Innocent publication of advertisement defence¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5PART 4 ENFORCEMENT¶
F519 Duty and power to enforce¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F520 Power to make test purchases¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F521 Power of entry and investigation, etc.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F522 Power to enter premises with a warrant¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F523 Obstruction of authorised officers¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F524 Notice of test and intended proceedings¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F525 Compensation¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F526 Application of Part 8 of Enterprise Act 2002¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F527 Evidence as to factual claims¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PART 4A CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS TO REDRESS¶
27A When does a consumer have a right to redress?¶
27B What does “prohibited practice” mean in this Part?¶
.
27C What immoveable property is covered by this Part?¶
27D What financial services are covered by this Part?¶
- “mortgage” includes a charge and (in Scotland) a heritable security;
- “timeshare accommodation” means overnight accommodation which is the subject of a timeshare contract within the meaning of the Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulations 2010.
27E When does the right to unwind apply to a business to consumer contract?¶
27F How does the right to unwind work in the case of a business to consumer contract?¶
27G How does the right to unwind work in the case of a consumer to business contract?¶
27H How does the right to unwind work if payments are demanded which are not due?¶
27I How does the right to a discount work?¶
27J How does the right to damages work?¶
27K How can a consumer enforce the rights to redress?¶
27L How does this Part relate to the existing law?¶
F5PART 5 SUPPLEMENTARY¶
F527M Inertia selling¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F528 Crown¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F529 Validity of agreements¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F530 Amendments, repeals and transitional and saving provisions¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Commercial practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair
Regulation 3(4)(d)
F5SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Amendments
Regulation 30(1)
F5PART 1 Amendments to Acts¶
F51 Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty Act 1914¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F52 Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty Act 1916¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F53 Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F54 Trading Representations (Disabled Persons) Act 1958¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F55 Trading Representations (Disabled Persons) Act (Northern Ireland) 1958¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F56 Mock Auctions Act 1961¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F57 Trade Descriptions Act 1968¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F513 Administration of Justice Act 1970¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F514 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F515 Fair Trading Act 1973¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F516 Hallmarking Act 1973¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F517 Consumer Credit Act 1974¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F529 Telecommunications Act 1984¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F530 Companies Act 1985¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F531 Weights and Measures Act 1985¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F532 Airports Act 1986¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F533 Consumer Protection Act 1987¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F538 County of Cleveland Act 1987¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F539 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F546 Road Traffic Act 1988¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F547 Water Act 1989¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F548 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F549 Water Industry Act 1991¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F550 Water Resources Act 1991¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F551 North Yorkshire County Council Act 1991¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F552 Railways Act 1993¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F553 Trade Marks Act 1994¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F557 Coal Industry Act 1994¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F558 London Local Authorities Act 1996¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F559 Greater London Authority Act 1999¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F560 Postal Services Act 2000¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F561 Utilities Act 2000¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F562 Transport Act 2000¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F563 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F566 Kent County Council Act 2001¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F567 Medway Council Act 2001¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F568 Enterprise Act 2002¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F571 Licensing Act 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F572 Communications Act 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F573 Nottingham City Council Act 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F574 Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F575 Companies Act 2006¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5PART 2 Amendments to other legislation¶
F576 Tourism (Sleeping Accommodation Price Display) Order 1977¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F577 Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F578 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F579 The Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F580 Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F581 Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F582 Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F583 Estate Agents (Specified Offences) (No. 2) Order 1991¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F584 Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F585 Motor Cycle Silencer and Exhaust Systems Regulations 1995¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F586 Energy Information (Washing Machines) Regulations 1996¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F587 Energy Information (Tumble Driers) Regulations 1996¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F588 Energy Information (Combined Washer-Driers) Regulations 1997¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F589 Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F590 Motor Cycles (Protective Headgear) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F591 Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F592 Energy Information (Lamps) Regulations 1999¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F593 Energy Information (Dishwashers) Regulations 1999¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F594 Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F595 Control of Misleading Advertisements (Amendment) Regulations 2000¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F596 Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F597 Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F598 Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F599 Energy Information (Household Electric Ovens) Regulations 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5100 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5101 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Notice to OFT of Intended Prosecution, Specified Enactments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5102 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Domestic Infringements) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5103 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 9 Restrictions on Disclosure of Information) (Amendment and Specification) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5104 Price Marking (Food and Drink) Services Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5105 Control of Misleading Advertisements (Amendment) Regulations 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5106 Price Marking (Food and Drink) Services Order (Northern Ireland) 2004¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5107 Energy Information (Household Refrigerators and Freezers) Regulations 2004¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5108 Consumer Credit (Advertisements) Regulations 2004¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5109 Contracting Out (Functions relating to Broadcast Advertising) and Specification of Relevant Functions Order 2004¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5110 Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5111 Duty Stamps Regulations 2006¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5112 The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5113 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2006¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5114 Licensing (Relevant Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2007¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5115 Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) Order 2007¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5SCHEDULE 3 ¶
Transitional and Saving Provisions
Regulation 30(2)
F51 Trade Descriptions Act 1968¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F55 Application of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to the Price Indications (Bureaux de Change) (No. 2) Regulations 1992¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F57 Application of the Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 to the Price Indications (Bureaux de Change) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F59 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Notice to OFT of Intended Prosecution, Specified Enactments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F511 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Domestic Infringements) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F513 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2003¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F514 Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2006¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F515 Disclosure of information¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F5SCHEDULE 4 ¶
Repeals and Revocations
Regulation 30(3)
F5PART 1 Repeals¶
F5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5PART 2 Revocations¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Footnotes
- M1S.I. 1993/2661 and S.I. 1985/749.
- M21972 c.68; section 2(2) was amended by section 27(1)(a) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c.51).
- M3Paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 was amended by section 27(2)(a) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c.51).
- F1Words in reg. 27B(2) substituted (6.4.2025) by The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/381), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 32(3)
- F2Words in reg. 27I(6) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 9(2)
- F3Words in reg. 27C(2) omitted (W.) (1.12.2022) by virtue of The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments to Secondary Legislation) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/907), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 26(a)
- F4Reg. 27C(7)(8) inserted (W.) (1.12.2022) by The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments to Secondary Legislation) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/907), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 26(b)
- F5Regulations revoked (6.4.2025 with transitional provisions and savings in relation to Pt. 4A, which is continued until regulations are made under s. 233 of the revoking Act) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), ss. 251(1), 339(1) (with ss. 235, 243, 252); S.I. 2025/272, reg. 2(1)(3)
- F6Reg. 27B(1) substituted (6.4.2025) by The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/381), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 32(2)
- F7Words in reg. 27A(5)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Consumer Protection (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1326), regs. 1(3), 6(2) (with reg. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1347, regs. 1(3), 4(8)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
- F8Pt. 4A inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/870), regs. 1(3), 3