UK Home > OUT-LAW News > News Archive > 2002 > March 2002 > Consumers to get new shopping rights in UK

Consumers to get new shopping rights in UK

OUT-LAW News, 04/03/2002

UK consumers are to be given more rights when they buy faulty goods under new draft regulations announced on Friday. The draft regulations would implement the European Sale of Consumer Goods Directive and will affect those in the B2C market.

The new rights include:

In the first six months of ownership it will be assumed that faulty goods have been sold with the fault unless the retailer can prove otherwise - which is a reversal of the burden of proof.
Any guarantees offered by the manufacturer or retailer will become legally binding and will have to be written in plain language with clear details on how to make a claim.
In sales to other EU Member States, the seller will be liable for at least two years for faults present, but not apparent, at the time of sale. In the UK there is already a six years liability period in place.
The right to have goods repaired or replaced or a price reduction given. Although these are commonly used remedies in the UK they have never been given status in law.

See: Consultation document and draft regulations (97-page PDF)