The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013

PART 2 U.K. Information requirements

CHAPTER 1 U.K. Provision of information

Application of Part 2 U.K.

7.—(1) This Part applies to on-premises, off-premises and distance contracts, subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) and regulation 6.

(2) This Part does not apply to contracts to the extent that they are—

(a) for the supply of a medicinal product by administration by a prescriber, or under a prescription or directions given by a prescriber;

(b) for the supply of a product by a health care professional or a person included in a relevant list, under arrangements for the supply of services as part of the health service, where the product is one that, at least in some circumstances is available under such arrangements free or on prescription.

(3) This Part, except for regulation 14(1) to (5), does not apply to contracts to the extent that they are for passenger transport services.

(4) This Part does not apply to off-premises contracts under which the payment to be made by the consumer is not more than £42.

(5) In paragraph (2)—

• “health care professional” and “prescriber” have the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013 M1 ;

• “health service” means—

  (a)

  the health service as defined by section 275(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006 M2 or section 206(1) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 M3 ,

  (b)

  the health service as defined by section 108(1) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 M4 , or

  (c)

  any of the health services under section 2(1)(a) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 M5 ;

• “medicinal product” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 M6 ;

• “relevant list” means—

  (d)

  a relevant list for the purposes of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013 M7 , or

  (e)

  a list maintained under those Regulations.

Marginal Citations

M1 S.I. 2013/349.

M2 2006 c.41.

M3 2006 c.42.

M4 1978 c.29.

M5 2006 c.41 (N.I): section 1 was substituted by section 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c.7).

M6 S.I. 2012/1916.

M7 S.I. 2013/349.

Making information etc available to a consumer U.K.

8.  For the purposes of this Part, something is made available to a consumer only if the consumer can reasonably be expected to know how to access it.

Information to be provided before making an on-premises contract U.K.

9.—(1) Before the consumer is bound by an on-premises contract, the trader must give or make available to the consumer the information described in Schedule 1 in a clear and comprehensible manner, if that information is not already apparent from the context.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a contract which involves a day-to-day transaction and is performed immediately at the time when the contract is entered into.

[F1 (3) If the contract is for the supply of digital content other than for a price paid by the consumer—

(a) any information that the trader gives the consumer as required by this regulation is to be treated as included as a term of the contract, and

(b) a change to any of that information, made before entering into the contract or later, is not effective unless expressly agreed between the consumer and the trader] 

F2 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 9(3) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 4(1)

F2 Reg. 9(4) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 4(2)

Information to be provided before making an off-premises contract U.K.

10.—(1) Before the consumer is bound by an off-premises contract, the trader—

(a) must give the consumer the information listed in Schedule 2 in a clear and comprehensible manner, and

(b) if a right to cancel exists, must give the consumer a cancellation form as set out in part B of Schedule 3.

(2) The information and any cancellation form must be given on paper or, if the consumer agrees, on another durable medium and must be legible.

(3) The information referred to in paragraphs (l), (m) and (n) of Schedule 2 may be provided by means of the model instructions on cancellation set out in part A of Schedule 3; and a trader who has supplied those instructions to the consumer, correctly filled in, is to be treated as having complied with paragraph (1) in respect of those paragraphs.

(4) If the trader has not complied with paragraph (1) in respect of paragraph (g), (h) or (m) of Schedule 2, the consumer is not to bear the charges or costs referred to in those paragraphs.

[F3 (5) If the contract is for the supply of digital content other than for a price paid by the consumer—

(a) any information that the trader gives the consumer as required by this regulation is to be treated as included as a term of the contract, and

(b) a change to any of that information, made before entering into the contract or later, is not effective unless expressly agreed between the consumer and the trader] 

F4 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) This regulation is subject to regulation 11.

Textual Amendments

F3 Reg. 10(5) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 5(1)

F4 Reg. 10(6) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 5(2)

Provision of information in connection with repair or maintenance contracts U.K.

11.—(1) If the conditions in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) are met, regulation 10(1) does not apply to an off-premises contract where—

(a) the contract is a service contract,

(b) the consumer has explicitly requested the trader to supply the service for the purpose of carrying out repairs or maintenance,

(c) the obligations of the trader and the consumer under the contract are to be performed immediately, and

(d) the payment to be made by the consumer is not more than £170.

(2) The first condition is that, before the consumer is bound by the contract, the trader gives or makes available to the consumer on paper or, if the consumer expressly agrees, on another durable medium—

(a) the information referred to in paragraphs (b) to (d), (f) and (g) of Schedule 2,

(b) an estimate of the total price, where it cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, and

(c) where a right to cancel exists, a cancellation form as set out in part B of Schedule 3.

(3) The second condition is that, before the consumer is bound by the contract, the trader gives or makes available to the consumer the information referred to in paragraphs (a), (l) and (o) of Schedule 2, either on paper or another durable medium or otherwise if the consumer expressly agrees.

(4) The third condition is that the confirmation of the contract provided in accordance with regulation 12 contains the information required by regulation 10(1).

(5) For the right to cancel where this regulation applies, see in particular—

(a) regulation 28(1)(e) and (2) (cases where cancellation excluded: visit requested for urgent work);

(b) regulation 36 (form of consumer's request, and consequences).

Provision of copy or confirmation of off-premises contracts U.K.

12.—(1) In the case of an off-premises contract, the trader must give the consumer—

(a) a copy of the signed contract, or

(b) confirmation of the contract.

(2) The confirmation must include all the information referred to in Schedule 2 unless the trader has already provided that information to the consumer on a durable medium prior to the conclusion of the off-premises contract.

(3) The copy or confirmation must be provided on paper or, if the consumer agrees, on another durable medium.

(4) The copy or confirmation must be provided within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the contract, but in any event—

(a) not later than the time of the delivery of any goods supplied under the contract, and

(b) before performance begins of any service supplied under the contract.

(5) If the contract is for the supply of digital content not on a tangible medium and the consumer has given the consent and acknowledgement referred to in regulation 37(1)(a) and (b), the copy or confirmation must include confirmation of the consent and acknowledgement.

Information to be provided before making a distance contract U.K.

13.—(1) Before the consumer is bound by a distance contract, the trader—

(a) must give or make available to the consumer the information listed in Schedule 2 in a clear and comprehensible manner, and in a way appropriate to the means of distance communication used, and

(b) if a right to cancel exists, must give or make available to the consumer a cancellation form as set out in part B of Schedule 3.

(2) In so far as the information is provided on a durable medium, it must be legible.

(3) The information referred to in paragraphs (l), (m) and (n) of Schedule 2 may be provided by means of the model instructions on cancellation set out in part A of Schedule 3; and a trader who has supplied those instructions to the consumer, correctly filled in, is to be treated as having complied with paragraph (1) in respect of those paragraphs.

(4) Where a distance contract is concluded through a means of distance communication which allows limited space or time to display the information—

(a) the information listed in paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (g), (h), (l) and (s) of Schedule 2 must be provided on that means of communication in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), but

(b) the other information required by paragraph (1) may be provided in another appropriate way.

(5) If the trader has not complied with paragraph (1) in respect of paragraph (g), (h) or (m) of Schedule 2, the consumer is not to bear the charges or costs referred to in those paragraphs.

[F5 (6) If the contract is for the supply of digital content other than for a price paid by the consumer—

(a) any information that the trader gives the consumer as required by this regulation is to be treated as included as a term of the contract, and

(b) a change to any of that information, made before entering into the contract or later, is not effective unless expressly agreed between the consumer and the trader] 

F6 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5 Reg. 13(6) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 6(1)

F6 Reg. 13(7) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1629), regs. 1(1), 6(2)

Requirements for distance contracts concluded by electronic means U.K.

14.—(1) This regulation applies where a distance contract is concluded by electronic means.

(2) If the contract places the consumer under an obligation to pay, the trader must make the consumer aware in a clear and prominent manner, and directly before the consumer places the order, of the information listed in paragraphs (a), (f), (g), (h), (s) and (t) of Schedule 2.

(3) The trader must ensure that the consumer, when placing the order, explicitly acknowledges that the order implies an obligation to pay.

(4) If placing an order entails activating a button or a similar function, the trader must ensure that the button or similar function is labelled in an easily legible manner only with the words ‘order with obligation to pay’ or a corresponding unambiguous formulation indicating that placing the order entails an obligation to pay the trader.

(5) If the trader has not complied with paragraphs (3) and (4), the consumer is not bound by the contract or order.

(6) The trader must ensure that any trading website through which the contract is concluded indicates clearly and legibly, at the latest at the beginning of the ordering process, whether any delivery restrictions apply and which means of payment are accepted.

Telephone calls to conclude a distance contract U.K.

15.  If the trader makes a telephone call to the consumer with a view to concluding a distance contract, the trader must, at the beginning of the conversation with the consumer, disclose—

(a) the trader's identity,

(b) where applicable, the identity of the person on whose behalf the trader makes the call, and

(c) the commercial purpose of the call.

Confirmation of distance contracts U.K.

16.—(1) In the case of a distance contract the trader must give the consumer confirmation of the contract on a durable medium.

(2) The confirmation must include all the information referred to in Schedule 2 unless the trader has already provided that information to the consumer on a durable medium prior to the conclusion of the distance contract.

(3) If the contract is for the supply of digital content not on a tangible medium and the consumer has given the consent and acknowledgment referred to in regulation 37(1)(a) and (b), the confirmation must include confirmation of the consent and acknowledgement.

(4) The confirmation must be provided within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the contract, but in any event—

(a) not later than the time of delivery of any goods supplied under the contract, and

(b) before performance begins of any service supplied under the contract.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), the confirmation is treated as provided as soon as the trader has sent it or done what is necessary to make it available to the consumer.

Burden of proof in relation to off-premises and distance contracts U.K.

17.—(1) In case of dispute about the trader's compliance with any provision of regulations 10 to 16, it is for the trader to show that the provision was complied with.

(2) That does not apply to proceedings—

(a) for an offence under regulation 19, or

(b) relating to compliance with an injunction, interdict or order under regulation 45.

Effect on contract of failure to provide information U.K.

18.  Every contract to which this Part applies is to be treated as including a term that the trader has complied with the provisions of—

(a) regulations 9 to 14, and

(b) regulation 16.

CHAPTER 2 U.K. Offences

Offence relating to the failure to give notice of the right to cancel U.K.

19.—(1) A trader is guilty of an offence if the trader enters into an off-premises contract to which regulation 10 applies but fails to give the consumer the information listed in paragraph (l), (m) or (n) of Schedule 2 in accordance with that regulation.

(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Defence of due diligence U.K.

20.—(1) In any proceedings against a person (A) for an offence under regulation 19 it is a defence for A to prove—

(a) that the commission of the offence was due to—

(i) the act or default of another, or

(ii) reliance on information given by another, and

(b) that A took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence by A or any person under A's control.

(2) A person is not entitled to rely on the defence provided by paragraph (1) without leave of the court unless—

(a) that person has served on the prosecutor a notice in writing giving such information as was in that person's possession identifying or assisting in the identification of the other person; and

(b) the notice is served on the prosecutor not less than 7 days before the hearing of the proceedings or, in Scotland, 7 days before the intermediate diet or 14 days before the trial diet, whichever is earlier.

Liability of persons other than the principal offender U.K.

21.  Where the commission by a person of an offence under regulation 19 is due to the act or default of another person, that other person is guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished whether or not proceedings are taken against the first person.

Offences committed by bodies of persons U.K.

22.—(1) Where an offence under regulation 19 committed by a body corporate is proved—

(a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of the body corporate or

(b) to be attributable to any neglect on the part of an officer of the body corporate,

the officer, as well as the body corporate, is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) In paragraph (1) a reference to an officer of a body corporate includes a reference to—

(a) a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer; and

(b) a person purporting to act as a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer.

(3) Where an offence under regulation 19 committed in Scotland by a Scottish partnership is proved—

(a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner, or

(b) to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a partner,

that partner, as well as the partnership shall be guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(4) In paragraph (3) a reference to a partner includes a person purporting to act as a partner.

Duty to enforce U.K.

23.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3)—

(a) it is the duty of every weights and measures authority in Great Britain to enforce regulation 19 within its area; and

(b) it is the duty of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland to enforce regulation 19 within Northern Ireland.

(2) No proceedings for an offence under regulation 19 may be instituted in England and Wales except by or on behalf of an enforcement authority.

(3) Nothing in paragraph (1) authorises any weights and measures authority to bring proceedings in Scotland for an offence.

Powers of investigation U.K.

F7 24.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F7 Reg. 24 revoked (1.10.2015) by The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1726), art. 1, Sch. para. 7 (with art. 4)

Obstruction of authorised officers U.K.

F8 25.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F8 Reg. 25 revoked (1.10.2015) by The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1726), art. 1, Sch. para. 7 (with art. 4)

Freedom from self-incrimination U.K.

F9 26.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F9 Reg. 26 revoked (1.10.2015) by The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1726), art. 1, Sch. para. 7 (with art. 4)