General
This reservation is designed to ensure the reservation of a common United Kingdom system for the regulation of consumer protection and related matters in order to preserve a level playing field for consumers and business.
The DTI is responsible throughout the UK for consumer protection matters such as the sale and supply of goods and services to consumers, and related matters, which may not be restricted to consumers, such as trade descriptions, misleading advertising price indications etc. So that the interests of consumers across the whole UK market can best be protected, the current UK-wide arrangements will be maintained. The Scottish Office was formerly consulted on a non-statutory basis in connection with relevant work programme proposals and various other matters to do with Scottish consumer bodies, which receive funding from, and in some cases are appointed by, the DTI e.g. Scottish Consumer Council and Citizens Advice Scotland. The Scottish Consumer Council, National Consumer Council and the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux have been specified as cross-border public authorities.
The Scottish Parliament has legislative power in this area in respect of food safety, because this is integral to the policy areas of agriculture and food which are not reserved, and in respect of advertising which is specific to tobacco and tobacco products in view of its similar linkage to health.