Consultation paper on the provision of Alternative Dispute Resolution for disputes arising under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

This consultation paper sets out the options for alternatives to the courts in resolving consumer credit disputes. An alternative dispute resolution system for the whole of the consumer credit industry, which resolved disputes in a speedy, fair and inexpensive manner, would benefit both firms and consumers. For firms it would be cheaper than facing court action: for consumers it would mean that redress is obtainable quickly and inexpensively if things go wrong. Like the courts, the ADR system would be independent. Click here for further information on the Consumer Credit Act Review.

Consultation Document.
Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA)

Published: 17 December 2003
Deadline for Responses: 17 March 2004

Consultation on the implementation of Commission Directives 2003/34/EC and 2003/36/EC on marketing and use restrictions regarding carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction (cmrs)

The consultation seeks views on the implementation of the Directives referred to above. They amend, for the 23rd and 25th time respectively, Council Directive 76/769/EEC. The substances listed in the Annexes to the Directives shall be added to those listed in the Appendix, under points 29, 30 and 31 respectively, of Annex I to Directive 76/769/EEC.

Consultation Document

Published: 15 December 2003
Deadline for Responses: 9 March 2004

Enterprise Act 2002: Public Interest Intervention In Media Mergers

This consultation document seeks views on the guidance the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry proposes to issue on the consideration of media public interest merger cases under the Enterprise Act 2002 (under provisions inserted into that Act by the Communications Act 2003). 

The draft guidance (included in the consultation document) seeks to explain the new legislation and procedures applying to mergers involving newspapers, broadcast media enterprises and cross-media mergers involving both broadcast media enterprises and newspaper enterprises. Most of the changes are in the procedures by which mergers will be handled.

Consultation Document

Published: 15 December 2003
Deadline for responses: 12 March 2004

Consultation  following publication of the White Paper "Fair, Clear and Competitive - The Consumer Credit Market in the 21st Century".

Consultation on the draft regulations detailing the changes proposed for consumer credit advertising, the form and content of credit agreements, the early settlement of credit agreements and facilitating the conclusion of credit agreements over the internet.

Consultation Document

Published: 8 December 2003
Deadline for responses: 15 March 2004.

Consultation on proposed Fireworks Regulations dealing with the anti social use of fireworks by young people and the misuse of particularly dangerous and powerful fireworks generally.

This consultation seeks views on proposed Regulations to make it an offence for those under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in public places and for any member of the general public to possess category 4 fireworks (professional display fireworks).

These proposed measures, it is hoped, will help to reduce the nuisance, damage and harm that fireworks, when in the wrong hands, often cause. These are complementary measures to the Government's broader aims to crack down on anti social behaviour.

Consultation Document

Published: 5 November 2003
Deadline for responses: 26 November 2003 Passed

Consultation on Commission proposal to extend the scope of the Community’s competition implementing rules to cover air services between the Community and third countries.

This consultation seeks views on the proposal for a Council Regulation to extend the Community’s competition implementing rules to cover air services between Community airports and those of third countries (commonly referred to as "extra-Community" air services).

It would end the current arrangements for the enforcement of Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty in relation to extra-Community air transport services with effect from 1 May 2004. It would do this by extending the Community implementing rules on competition to bring extra-Community air services onto the same footing as intra-Community ones.

Consultation Document
DTI Covering Letter
Commission Proposal

Published: 8 October 2003
Deadline for responses: 30 December 2003

Consultation on Performance Measures for Trading Standards 2004/2005

This consultation is aimed at Local Authority Trading Standards Services, businesses and consumers seeking views on the proposals for Performance Measures for Trading Standards in 2004/2005. The Performance Measures were introduced in June 2003.

Consultation Document
Response Document

Published: 29 September 2003
Deadline for responses: 22 December 2003

Public Consultation on the Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on Co-operation between National Authorities Responsible for the Enforcement of Consumer Protection Laws (“The Regulation on Consumer Protection Co-operation”).

The European Commission has proposed a Regulation on Consumer Protection Co-operation. The proposed Regulation will enhance co-operation between consumer protection enforcement bodies in all EU Member States, in order to effectively tackle cross-border scams and deceptive practices that harm consumers. The aim of this consultation is to seek views to inform the UK Government position for the forthcoming negotiations. The consultation document also includes a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Consultation document.
Draft EC Regulation.

Published: 19 September 2003
Deadline for responses: 12 December 2003 Passed

Consultation on the Implementation of Directives 2002/61/EC (Azocolourants) and 2003/3/EC ('blue colourant').

This consultation seeks views on the UK implementation of these Directives which relate to restrictions on the use of certain azodyes in textile and leather articles and restrictions on the marketing of these articles.

Consultation document
Annex A - EC Directive 2002/61
Annex B - EC Directive 2003/3
Annex C -Statutory Instruments
DTI Covering letter
EC Communication on tests

Published: 10 September 2003
Deadline for responses: 9 October 2003 Passed

Public consultation on the proposal for an EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices

The European Commission has proposed a Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices. The proposed Directive includes a general prohibition on unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices and specific rules aimed at combating on misleading and aggressive practices. The aim of this consultation is to seek views to inform the UK Government position for the forthcoming negotiations.

Along with the consultation document, the DTI is also publishing (i) a report of a  workshop it held in April 2003 to consider evidence for a 'general duty not to trade unfairly', and (ii) a legal study it commissioned on the potential impact of adopting a 'duty to trade fairly'.

Consultation document (53 pages).
Report of the Workshop (21 pages). 
Executive Summary of legal study (5 pages). 
Full report of legal study (122 pages).

Please click here for further information and documents on the EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices

Published: 22 July 2003
Deadline for responses: 17 October 2003 Passed

Public consultation on the Government’s proposals for exclusions and exemptions from the Competition Act 1998 in light of Regulation 1/2003 EC

The Government is proposing to amend the Competition Act 1998 in order to give effect to EC Regulation 1/2003. As part of this process a review of exclusions and exemptions from the Competition Act 1998 is being conducted. The aim of this consultation is to seek views on the changes that the Government is proposing to make to these exclusions and exemptions.

Consultation document (85 pages)

Published: 17 June 2003
Deadline for responses: 12 August 2003. Passed

Public consultation on the Government's proposal to repeal the Trading Stamps Act 1964 by means of a Regulatory Reform Order.

The 1964 Act lays down detailed rules for schemes that provide goods
in return for trading stamps, but the Government does not believe that
specific legislation is still needed in this area. Updating and harmonising the legal framework should reduce compliance costs for retailers and scheme promoters, while maintaining necessary protection for consumers.

Consultation document (54 pages)
Government response to consultation (8 pages) 

Published: 21 May 2003
Deadline for responses: 20 August 2003. Passed

Public consultation on the Government’s proposals to amend the Sunday Trading Act 1994 to prohibit large stores from opening on Christmas Day.

The 1994 Act prohibits large stores from opening on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday but not when it falls on other days in the week. The Government propose that large stores should be prohibited from opening on Christmas Day falling on any day. The purpose of new regulation would be to maintain the special nature of Christmas Day. The Government believe that widespread opening by large stores would seriously undermine the special nature of the day as well as having an adverse effect on employees.

The Government currently sees no need to review the operation of the 1994 Act in respect of the hours large stores may open and the duty on local authorities to enforce those hours; but there is a separate consultation (see below) which is seeking views on proposals to remove by means of a Regulatory Reform Order, the administrative requirement for large retail shops to notify local authorities of their Sunday trading hours (this applies in England and Wales). The Regulatory Reform order also proposes removing the burden on local authorities to maintain a register of such notifications.

Consultation document (21 pages).
Welsh language version.
Summary of responses to consultation (3 pages).

Published: 8 April 2003.
Deadline for responses: 2 July 2003. Passed

Public consultation on the Government’s proposals amend the Competition Act 1998 to give effect to Regulation 1/2003

The Government is proposing to amend the Competition Act 1998 in order to give effect to EC Regulation 1/2003. The aim of this consultation is two fold. Firstly to outline the changes that will be required to bring into effect the new Regulation. Secondly, since the Competition Act was designed to mirror the European system under Regulation 17/62, to seek views on ways in which the Competition Act should be brought back into alignment with the new Regulation. 

Consultation document (102 pages).

Published: 1 April 2003.
Deadline for responses: 27 June 2003. Passed

Public consultation on proposed changes to the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 by means of a Regulatory Reform Order.

The Government is proposing to amend the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 in order to reduce administrative burdens for directory publishers and those who choose to place paid entries in directories.

The aim is to remove and amend certain authorisation requirements within the 1971 Act and to widen the scope of the Unsolicited Goods and Services (Invoices etc) Regulations 1975 to include electronic as well as paper based documents.

Please click here for more information on the Act and Trade Directories

Consultation document.

Published: 28 March 2003.
Deadline for responses: 27 June 2003. Passed

Price Marking - Public consultation on proposed changes to the Code of Practice for Traders on Price Indications.

This consultation document seeks views on proposed changes to the Code of Practice for Traders on Price Indications, which provides guidance to traders on how to avoid giving a misleading price which is an offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

Consultation document.
Annex A - 1998 Code showing proposed revisions.

Published: 28 March 2003.
Deadline for responses: 27 June 2003. Passed

Consultation on Sunday Trading Act 1994 notification procedures and section 26 of the Revenue Act 1889, on the sale of methylated spirits on a Sunday.

This consultation paper seeks views on proposals to remove the administrative requirement of the Sunday Trading Act 1994 by means of a Regulatory Reform Order, removing the need for large retail shops to notify local authorities of their Sunday Trading hours (this applies to England and Wales). The consultation paper also seeks views on removing the restrictions on the sale of methylated spirits on a Sunday (this applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Consultation document.
Summary of Responses.

On 14 October 2003 the proposals were laid before scrutiny committees in both Houses of Parliament in the form of a draft Order with a supporting explanatory document. The draft Order and explanatory document can be viewed on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/act/proposals.htm from 16 October. It is intended to implement these proposed changes by way of a Regulatory Reform Order.

Published: 18 March 2003.
Deadline for responses: 27 June 2003 Passed

Consultation on a new good practice guide to applying the 1998 Enforcement Concordat.

The consultation asks general questions about the content and structure of the 'Good Practice Guide' and specific questions about how enforcement bodies' compliance with the Enforcement Concordat can be measured.

The Enforcement Concordat sets out what business and others being regulated can expect from enforcement officers in terms of good enforcement policies and procedures.

Please click here for further information on the Enforcement Concordat and the Good Practice Guide.

Consultation document.
Response to consultation.

Deadline for responses: 28 May 2003 Passed

Consultation on making the extortionate credit provisions within the Consumer Credit Act 1974 more effective. 

This consultation seeks views on proposals for changes to the extortionate credit provisions under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. In particular, the consultation outlines a range of options for improving protection for consumers against extortionate credit agreements and related practices, including consumer redress and alternative mechanisms for dispute resolution.

Please click here for more information about the Consumer Credit Review.

Consultation document
Responses to consultation

Deadline for responses: 6th June 2003 Passed

Consultation on the Licensing Regime under the Consumer Credit Act 1974

This consultation seeks views on proposals for changes to the administration of the licensing regime under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.  In particular, the consultation focuses on the scope and nature of consumer credit licences; strengthening the test of fitness that all licence holders and applicants must satisfy; the structure of licence fees; and a new approach to the enforcement of the licensing regime.

Consultation document
Responses to consultation

Deadline for responses: 30th April 2003 Passed

Consultation on enabling and facilitating the conclusion of credit and hire agreements electronically under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

This consultation seeks views on proposals for changes to the Consumer Credit Act so that credit agreements can be completed electronically. Amongst other things the proposals deal with forms of agreement, conclusion of contracts, provision and storage of copies and cancellation rights.

Consultation paper
Responses to consultation

Deadline for responses: 28th March 2003 Passed

Enterprise Act 2002: Consultation on draft order to be made under Part 9 (information). 

This consultation document seeks views on the draft Statutory Instrument to be made under Part 9 (information) of the Enterprise Act 2002 which: (i) amends Schedule 14 (specified functions) of the Act and adds the secondary legislation to which the restrictions in this Part will apply; (ii) amends Schedule 15 (enactments conferring functions) of the Act and adds the secondary legislation conferring functions for which information may be disclosed; and (iii) makes consequential amendments to repeal the existing disclosure requirements in the enactments referred to in (i) above which will be replaced by Part 9.

Consultation paper 
Annex A   Annex B 

Deadline for responses: 14 March 2003 Passed

Enterprise Act 2002: Consultation on draft criteria for designating bodies to make super-complaints.

This consultation document seeks views on draft criteria by which the Secretary of State would assess whether bodies should be designated to bring super-complaints under section 11 of the Enterprise Act 2002.  It also contains draft guidance for bodies thinking of applying for designation to bring super-complaints

Consultation paper
Government Response

Finalised criteria and guidelines are on the Enterpise Act page

Deadline for responses: 7 March 2003 Passed

Enterprise Act 2002: Consultation on draft criteria for specifying bodies to bring claims for damages on behalf of consumers.

This consultation document seeks views on draft criteria by which the Secretary of State would assess whether bodies should be specified to bring claims for damages on behalf of consumers under section 19 of the Enterprise Act 2002. It also contains draft guidance for bodies thinking of applying to be specified to bring claims for damages on behalf of consumers.

Consultation paper
Government Response

Finalised criteria and guidelines are on the Enterpise Act page

Deadline for responses: 7 March 2003 Passed

Enterprise Act 2002: Consultation on draft orders to be made under Part 8 (enforcement of certain consumer legislation).

This consultation document seeks views on the draft Statutory Instruments to be made under Part 8 (enforcement of certain consumer legislation) of the Enterprise Act 2002, including the draft order specifying the legislation and rules of law in respect of which acts or omissions may constitute domestic infringements. It also contains draft guidance to accompany the criteria for designating private bodies as enforcers for Part 8.

Consultation paper & Annex A and K

Annex B	Annex C	Annex D
Annex E	Annex F	Annex G
Annex H	Annex I	Annex J

Deadline for responses: 7 March 2003 Passed

Enterprise Act 2002: consultation on competition technical statutory instruments

We are consulting on certain technical secondary legislation required to implement the competition provisions of the Enterprise Act. These measures cover: updated merger fee arrangements, a modified approach to the determination of turnover, the use of land as a service, the arrangements for handling European merger cases with a UK public interest dimension, and the operation of the Act with respect to mergers that occur in stages. A letter describing these measures and the draft legislation are attached.

Consultation letter	Merger fees
Turnover	Use of land
ECMR cases	Mergers in stages
Government response to consultation exercise

Deadline for response: 28 February 2003 Passed

Consultation on the implementation of the 26th Commission Directive 2002/34/EC on cosmetics, and consolidation of the existing regulations on cosmetics. The consultation seeks views on the implementation of the 26th Directive 2002/34/EC which amends, for the 26th time, Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the safety of cosmetic products.  The 26th Amendment is a technical adaptation to Annexes II, III and VII of Directive 76/768/EEC.  In addition to implementing the 26th Amendment, the opportunity is being taken to consolidate the existing regulations on cosmetics.

Consultation paper
Regulatory Impact Assessment (final)

Deadline for responses: 28 February 2003 Passed

Consultation on proposed 23rd Amendment to Council Directive 76/769/EEC. This consultation seeks views on the proposal for a Directive to amend for the 23rd time Council Directive 76/769/EEC, relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (substances classified as carcinogens, mutagens or substances toxic to reproduction - C/M/rs).

Consultation paper
Deadline for responses: 2 February 2003 Passed

Responses to the consultation.

Consultation on Implementation of Directive 2001/90/EC (Creosote). This consultation seeks views on the UK implementation of Commission Directive 2001/EC which adapts to technical progress for the 7th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of creosote.

Consultation paper

Deadline for responses: 2 February 2003 Passed

Consultation on amendments to the Timeshare Act 1992; and  proposed new Timeshare (Cancellation Information) Order

This consultation sets out the Government’s proposal to replace the requirement to provide separate cancellation notices and forms with a requirement to include information on cancellation rights and a cancellation coupon within the relevant contract. Under the proposals the Timeshare (Cancellation Notices) Order 1992 would be repealed and the relevant requirements set out in the new Timeshare (Cancellation Information) Order.

Consultation paper and Annexes D & E.
Annex A - The Timeshare Act 1992 (Amendment) Regulations 2003.
Annex B - The Timeshare (Cancellation Information) Order 2003.
Annex C - Timeshare Act 1992 (incorporating the amendments to be made by the proposed Regulations).

For further information on Timeshare please visit our Timeshare Bulletin Board.

Deadline for Responses: 31 January 2003 Passed

Developing the National Performance Framework for Trading Standards services

The consultation is aimed at Local Trading Standards services, businesses and consumers seeking views on the proposals to introduce performance measures for Trading Standards. This is the next step in the development of the National Performance Framework

Consultation paper.
Summary of responses.
Government response to consultation.

For further information and to view the newly revised National Performance Framework Documents please click here.

Deadline for responses: 21 January 2003 Passed