EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD)

From April 2008, the UK will have regulations in force that implement the UCPD, which will harmonise trading laws across all EU member states and introduce a general prohibition on traders in every industry from treating consumers unfairly.

These regulations will force businesses to make sure that all their sales and marketing practices are fully compliant with the law.  In particular, the new regulations will oblige all businesses not to mislead consumers, either through what they do or do not say.  They will also protect people against high-pressure sales techniques and prevent unscrupulous traders from targeting people recognised as vulnerable due to age, state of health or other circumstances.

Not all such cases are straightforward and businesses will need to seek guidance on what they can or cannot do to ensure their marketing is not misleading and ambiguous.

If you have any queries on how the UCPD might affect your business, please contact Alistair Latham or Mark Daubney.

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