Consumer Rights Bill Cleaning up consumer law Following on from the broad overview of the Consumer Rights Bill in our last edition, we take a more detailed look at how it will update consumer rights ConSuMer rigHtS Bill the purpose of the Consumer Rights Bill, which is currently progressing through parliament, is to update and consolidate consumer rights while bringing the law up to date with modern trading practices and goods, such as e-commerce. all businesses that sell consumer goods or provide a service will be affected by the new requirements when they come into force. New rights a number of new rights will be created under the Bill, including: l a right to reject faulty goods within 30 days of purchase l a limit of one repair or replacement before other remedies become available within the first six months of purchase l Within the first six months, a seller cannot deduct any value for usage unless there is evidence of an active market for the goods, for example, second-hand cars For example, if a customer buys a new washing machine that develops a fault within 30 days of purchase, the consumer can reject the goods. after 30 days, the retailer can repair or replace the washing machine. if the repair or replacement proves to be unsatisfactory, the consumer can still reject the goods. the retailer will only get one chance to repair the washing machine correctly. The interpretation of the legislation is yet to be tested in the courts. Application of the requirements may change, based on case law New rules on services the Bill will also create a number of new rules for services provided, including: l the supplier must adequately describe the services tobeprovided l the consumer can require the supplier to put right adefective service l Where the above is impossible, or would be significantly inconvenient to the consumer, they may ask for a price reduction. damages are still available as an alternative l the customer is also entitled to a reduction if the service provided does not meet thedescription applied by the seller Click to watch Fiona Carter, regulatory lawyer, discussing the Consumer Rights Bill For example, if a customer asks a plumber to add two new radiators in a living room, butthey do not work because of incorrect fitting, the customer is entitled to have that rectified. if repair is impossible and would be significantly inconvenient to the consumer, or if the installation causes damage fIND OUT MORE to the goods/consumers You can track the progress of the Bill through property, then the customer can parliament on the UK government website ask for a price reduction. However, a word of warning! the interpretation of the legislation is yet to be tested in the courts. application of the requirements may change, based on case law. Credits: Bob Charnley images: edel / Shutterstock Bloomua / Shutterstock The next edition will look at new rules on the sale and supply of digital media.