New UK regulations will give consumer bodies new powers to deal
with unscrupulous on-line traders. The DTI is seeking public
comments on the extension of the Stop Now Orders (EC Directive)
Regulations 2001 to cover the consumer-protection aspects of the
Regulations implementing the E-Commerce Directive.
Under the proposals, trading standards departments will for the
first time have the power to ensure that traders comply with their
civil obligations to consumers. At present they can only enforce
those provisions of consumer protection legislation which carry
criminal sanctions.
The original Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations came
into force on 1st June 2001, giving consumer protection bodies the
power to apply to courts for Stop Now Orders to stop traders from
infringing specified legislation where the infringements harm the
collective interests of consumers. Failure to comply with a Stop
Now Order amounts to contempt of court, which can be punished by
fines or imprisonment.
The new proposal would add the consumer protection elements of
the E-commerce (EC Directive) Regulations to the existing list of
legislation covered by Stop Now Orders.
The proposal
document (incorporating the draft Regulations).
Comments should be e-mailed to joy.anderton@dti.gov.uk not
later than 5th July 2002.
