Enforcement policy

The implementation of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations – CPRs) and of the core reforms of the Consumer Credit Act 2006  from April 2008 make significant changes to the body of UK consumer protection law. Together with the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999, they extend the scope for enforcers to ask the courts to consider the behaviour of a business and whether or not it is fair. They mark a move towards a more principle-based regime and encourage smarter, risk-based enforcement geared to the efficient operation of the market to the benefit of consumers, and customer oriented businesses. At the same time, they also increase the range of enforcement tools available to the Office of Fair Trading, expanding the scope to take criminal proceedings and to impose financial penalties, sitting alongside existing civil enforcement tools and the provision of advice and guidance.

In light of these changes, the OFT is reviewing its enforcement methods and has drawn up an overall statement of our enforcement principles, linking to other existing guidance on more specific compliance issues.

Download Statement of consumer protection enforcement principles (pdf 113 kb)

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