Run a retail business
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UK Statutory Instrument
2008
United Kingdom
Repealed
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
8 compliance obligations, 8 practical guides across 2 topics · 1 journey
Penalty landscape
5 of 8 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 2 carry different penalties and 1 has no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 5
- Trader 3
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
8 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Traders also bound by 826 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 413 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 243 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 114 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 62 duties
- Building Societies Act 1986 1986 56 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — GENERAL
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Part 2 — PROHIBITIONS
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Prohibition of unfair commercial practices
Prohibition of the promotion of unfair commercial practices
Misleading actions
Misleading omissions
Aggressive commercial practices
Part 3 — OFFENCES
Offences relating to unfair commercial practices
2 years imprisonment- Engage in unfair commercial practices Trader
Offences relating to unfair commercial practices
2 years imprisonment- Engage in prohibited unfair commercial practice Trader
Offences relating to unfair commercial practices
2 years imprisonment- Engage in unfair commercial practice Any Person
Offences relating to unfair commercial practices
2 years imprisonment- Commit an unfair commercial practice Any Person
Penalty for offences
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with unfair trading regulations Any Person
Offences committed by bodies of persons
2 years imprisonment- Company liable for consumer‑unfair‑trading offence Any Person
Offence due to the default of another person
Unlimited fine- Cause another person to commit a consumer unfair‑trading offence Any Person
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 4 — ENFORCEMENT
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Duty and power to enforce
Power to make test purchases
Power of entry and investigation, etc.
Power to enter premises with a warrant
Obstruction of authorised officers
Notice of test and intended proceedings
Compensation
Application of Part 8 of Enterprise Act 2002
Evidence as to factual claims
Part 4A — CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS TO REDRESS
How does the right to unwind work if payments are demanded which are not due?
- Refund customers for payments they were not required to make Trader
Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
How does the right to unwind work in the case of a business to consumer contract?
How can a consumer enforce the rights to redress?
How does the right to a discount work?
How does the right to damages work?
How does the right to unwind work in the case of a consumer to business contract?
How does this Part relate to the existing law?
What does “prohibited practice” mean in this Part?
What financial services are covered by this Part?
What immoveable property is covered by this Part?
When does a consumer have a right to redress?
When does the right to unwind apply to a business to consumer contract?
Part 5 — SUPPLEMENTARY
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Crown
Validity of agreements
Amendments, repeals and transitional and saving provisions
Inertia selling
Schedules
Browse 93 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Commercial practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair
Amendments
Repeals and Revocations
Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty Act 1914
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2003
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Notice to OFT of Intended Prosecution, Specified Enactments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Order 2003
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Domestic Infringements) Order 2003
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 9 Restrictions on Disclosure of Information) (Amendment and Specification) Order 2003
Price Marking (Food and Drink) Services Order 2003
Control of Misleading Advertisements (Amendment) Regulations 2003
Price Marking (Food and Drink) Services Order (Northern Ireland) 2004
Energy Information (Household Refrigerators and Freezers) Regulations 2004
Consumer Credit (Advertisements) Regulations 2004
Contracting Out (Functions relating to Broadcast Advertising) and Specification of Relevant Functions Order 2004
Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004
Duty Stamps Regulations 2006
The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2006
Licensing (Relevant Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2007
Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) Order 2007
Administration of Justice Act 1970
Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972
Fair Trading Act 1973
Hallmarking Act 1973
Consumer Credit Act 1974
Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty Act 1916
Telecommunications Act 1984
Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951
Companies Act 1985
Weights and Measures Act 1985
Airports Act 1986
Consumer Protection Act 1987
County of Cleveland Act 1987
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Trading Representations (Disabled Persons) Act 1958
Road Traffic Act 1988
Water Act 1989
Courts and Legal Services Act 1990
Water Industry Act 1991
Trading Representations (Disabled Persons) Act (Northern Ireland) 1958
Water Resources Act 1991
North Yorkshire County Council Act 1991
Railways Act 1993
Trade Marks Act 1994
Coal Industry Act 1994
London Local Authorities Act 1996
Greater London Authority Act 1999
Mock Auctions Act 1961
Postal Services Act 2000
Utilities Act 2000
Transport Act 2000
Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
Kent County Council Act 2001
Medway Council Act 2001
Enterprise Act 2002
Trade Descriptions Act 1968
Licensing Act 2003
Communications Act 2003
Nottingham City Council Act 2003
Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006
Companies Act 2006
Tourism (Sleeping Accommodation Price Display) Order 1977
Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
The Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986
Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987
Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
Estate Agents (Specified Offences) (No. 2) Order 1991
Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994
Motor Cycle Silencer and Exhaust Systems Regulations 1995
Energy Information (Washing Machines) Regulations 1996
Energy Information (Tumble Driers) Regulations 1996
Energy Information (Combined Washer-Driers) Regulations 1997
Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998
Motor Cycles (Protective Headgear) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
Energy Information (Lamps) Regulations 1999
Energy Information (Dishwashers) Regulations 1999
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000
Control of Misleading Advertisements (Amendment) Regulations 2000
Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000
Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002
Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Energy Information (Household Electric Ovens) Regulations 2003
Trade Descriptions Act 1968
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Domestic Infringements) Order 2003
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2003
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2006
Disclosure of information
Application of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to the Price Indications (Bureaux de Change) (No. 2) Regulations 1992
Application of the Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 to the Price Indications (Bureaux de Change) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992
Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Notice to OFT of Intended Prosecution, Specified Enactments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Order 2003
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Regulating the funeral plans sector | FCA (opens in a new tab) from FCA Detailed Guidance
- Electronic money and payment service providers: conduct of business requirements | FCA (opens in a new tab) from FCA Detailed Guidance
- OfS referral to Trading Standards: The London School of Science and Technology Limited - Office for Students (opens in a new tab) from OfS Detailed Guidance
- OfS referral to Trading Standards: SP Jain London School of Management Limited - Office for Students (opens in a new tab) from OfS Detailed Guidance
- OfS referral to Trading Standards: London Bridge Business Academy - Office for Students (opens in a new tab) from OfS Detailed Guidance
- OfS referral to Trading Standards: Fairfield School of Business - Office for Students (opens in a new tab) from OfS Detailed Guidance
- Botox and non-surgical cosmetic interventions - ASA | CAP (opens in a new tab) from ASA Detailed Guidance
- Section ten: Commercial communications on radio (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Section nine: Commercial references on TV (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Unfair commercial practices guidance (CMA) (opens in a new tab) from CMA Publication
- ... and 5 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Local Authority
PrimaryLocal Authority (Environmental Health / Licensing / Planning)
Local councils enforce food safety (via Environmental Health Officers), issue alcohol licences, grant planning permission, and regulate certain business activities at local …
Competition and Markets Authority
Promotes competitive markets and tackles unfair behaviour. Investigates mergers, enforces competition law, and has specific digital markets powers. Digital Markets Unit (DMU) …
Trading Standards (Local Authority)
Enforces consumer protection legislation including food labelling, weights and measures, product safety, and fair trading. Part of local authority structure. Investigates food …
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Browse legislation
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.