The Regulations transpose an EU Directive of 1999 on the Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees, but missed the Directive's deadline by more than two years.
The impact on the extensive body of existing UK legislation is relatively modest. Already, consumers have an immediate right to reject goods, and demand their money back, where they are of unsatisfactory quality or not as described. Thereafter, consumers have a right to demand damages, which usually equates to a repair or replacement, for up to six years in England and Wales.
The new Regulations make the following main changes:
For the first six months after purchase/delivery, the burden of proof when reporting faulty goods will be reversed in the consumer's favour.
Guarantees offered by manufacturers or retailers must be legally binding, written in plain language and provide clear detail on how to claim. The guarantee must also be available on request.
There will be a right to have goods repaired or replaced or have a price reduction. These remedies are already widely used in the UK but they have not had status in law. The existing right to reject unsatisfactory goods, within a reasonable time, will be maintained.
The Regulations are available at:
www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/pdf1/salesupplysi.pdf
