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Price Indications

Code of Practice for Traders on Price Indications (see related documents).

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 makes it a criminal offence to give consumers a misleading price indication about goods, services, accommodation (including the sale of new homes) or facilities.

It applies however you give the price indication - whether in a TV or press advertisement, in a catalogue or leaflet, on notices, price tickets or shelf-edge marking in stores, or if you give it orally, for example on the telephone. The term "price indication" includes price comparisons as well as indications of a single price. The Department published a Code of Practice for Traders on Price Indications, following a consultation in October 2005.

Draft Guidance for Traders on Price Indications (see related documents).

This document aims at giving guidance to traders on good practice in the giving of price indications. It has no mandatory force - in particular, traders are not under any legal obligation to follow the practices recommended. The guidance takes account of the provisions contained in the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 which are relevant to the giving of misleading price indications. Nevertheless adherence to the recommendations of this guidance will not of itself mean that a price indication does not breach those Regulations.

The Department is carrying out an informal consultation on the draft guidance and if you have any comments please e-mail them to: david.a.evans@berr.gsi.gov.uk, by no later than 7 March 2008 please.

Price Marking Order 2004

The Price Marking Order 2004 which came into force on 21 July 2004, covers products, not services, and is limited to sales between retailers and consumers. It requires the selling price, and where appropriate the unit price, of products to be clearly displayed.

The Price Marking Order 2004 gives effect to Directive 98/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers.

Price Marking (Food and Drink Services) Order 2003

Price Marking (Food and Drink on Premises) Order 1979, and in light of a survey on pricing of soft drinks in bars, restaurants and other establishments, the Department has laid before Parliament the Price Marking (Food and Drink Services) Order 2003, S.I. 2003 No. 2252.

Other Price Indication Guidance

In addition, there is price transparency legislation covering the information that must be provided:

• where costs differ according to method of payment;
• when reselling theatre and other tickets;
• in bureaux de change.

For further information please download our Code of Practice guidance linked to on the right.

The Department does not deal with individual consumer enquiries or complaints. If you have an enquiry or are a business that needs advice please contact Consumer Direct at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (Tel: 08454 04 05 06). Consumers in Northern Ireland should contact Consumer Line on 0845 600 6262.