The consultation seeks to modernise consumer law by consolidating and simplifying officers’ investigatory powers set out in around 60 scattered pieces of consumer law into a single set. This will ensure these powers are transparent for both business and regulators.
The proposals are also aimed at reducing burdens on business, by requiring that officers’ routine visits are pre-arranged unless there are compelling reasons for them to be unannounced.
The consultation follows the Government’s agenda to simplify consumer law in response to the Red Tape Challenge.
Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute said: “At this time of great economic pressure on local authorities, it is vital that Trading Standards are able to tackle rogue traders as simply, quickly and cost effectively as possible.
“We welcome a consultation that seeks to consolidate and simplify the investigatory powers used by Trading Standards and believe it is vital that all stakeholders contribute examples of best practice and evidence any concerns.”
The Report follows the joint Commissions’ consultation on proposals in April 2011 for stronger consumer protection and recommends new legislation to clarify consumer redress for misleading practices.
It would also give consumers subjected to aggressive practices a right of redress, including a right to cancel the contract for a fixed period of 90 days.
BIS will consult further on proposals to simplify other consumer rights later this year with the aim of bringing forward a new Consumer Bill of Rights to comprehensively update consumer law in order to scrap or reform some 12 pieces of existing legislation.
