On 13 June 2014, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3134) came into force. These Regulations implement the european Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) in the UK. They apply to most consumer contracts that are made on or after 13 June 2014. In very broad summary:
- Traders must seek consent before taking any additional payments;
- Unless the consumer agrees otherwise the Trader must deliver any goods within 30 calendar days;
- Traders must not require a consumer to use a premium rate telephone line to make contact about an existing contract;
- In respect of distance selling the Regulations:
- extend consumer rights to the supply of digital content;
- extend the statutory cooling-off period to 14 calendar days (this can be extended to up to a year if the Trader does not comply with the Regulations);
- require the Trader to provide the consumer with a model cancellation form where there is a right to cancel;
- require websites to make it clear when the obligation to pay is triggered;
- require consumers to return goods within 14 days of cancelling the contract;
- allow Traders to withhold a refund until the goods are returned (or evidence of their return is provided).